Ethnic conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan has resulted in massive internal displacement and refugee flows. The United Nations estimates that 400,000 ethnic Uzbeks have fled their homes, with over 100,000 people escaping into neighboring Uzbekistan. Up to 2,000 people may have died in the clashes, according to Interim President Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued an appeal for $71 million to aid as many as 1 million people in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

InterAction members are responding to the crisis by assessing emergency needs, distributing relief items and providing temporary shelter.

InterAction has developed guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters.

For more information about appropriate disaster relief volunteering offers, visit the Center for International Disaster Information.