From BBC News Asia-Pacific
In pictures: Tajikistan’s winter struggle
The UN has issued an appeal for donor aid to help the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan.
A severe energy crisis coupled with an unusually cold winter is affecting the lives of millions of people.
The UN says it needs $25m (£13m) to help Tajikistan deal with the worst energy crisis it has ever experienced.
Much of the country has been left without heat and electricity, and the main hydropower stations do not have enough water to run their turbines.
In many places the temperatures are well below zero, and frozen pipes have left people without drinking water.
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