The authorities in Uzbekistan have already officially registered 45,000 refugees from the ethnic violence in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, a deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan told journalists on Monday.
The Kyrgyz government said on Monday that 124 people had died in the clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks that began last Thursday night. Some reports put the death toll much higher, and as many as 100,000 Uzbek are said to have fled their homes in Kyrgyzstan.
"As of today we have registered 45,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan who have found refuge in Uzbekistan in connection with the riots taking place in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan," Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov said.
He added that only adults had been registered, so children were not included in the figure. He estimated that 40% of the refugees were minors.
Aripov said the Uzbek government had allocated money to meet the needs of refugees, but called for external assistance.
"We hope that international organizations will also provide aid," he said.
The situation on the border is currently very difficult, with only the wounded, women and children being allowed across because of the numbers involved, and many people are gathered on the Kyrgyz side of the border waiting for their chance to cross.
ANDIJAN (Uzbekistan), June 14 (RIA Novosti)
