Tajikistan is one of the few countries in the world that has undergone de-development. This is the result of the Soviet collapse 20 years ago and a five-year civil war following unsolicited independence.
Deteriorating infrastructure and much-reduced levels of state support have led to increasing poverty, a decline in services and high unemployment. Approximately two million of the country’s seven million population have left to seek work in other countries such as Russia.
Climate change is also a threat to food production as temperatures soar and weather becomes more unpredictable.
Our work
ACT Central Asia is the representative office of Christian Aid in Tajikistan where we have worked since 1997. We currently fund ten partners.
Secure livelihoods: Christian Aid funds projects that are helping vulnerable women and men to develop knowledge and skills in climate-resilient agricultural techniques and access sustainable energy sources. We are also helping communities strengthen their resilience to disasters such as droughts, floods and earthquakes.
Accountable governance: working through partners, Christian Aid is helping people, especially women, hold local and national government to account by setting up Public Chambers, similar to citizens advice bureaus, where they can get support in claiming their rights to services, land and housing, an adequate living and a safe life.
HIV and AIDS: since 2001, HIV rates for 15 to 49-year-olds have tripled. Intravenous drug use and migration are important causes behind this increase.
Christian Aid supports partner organisations that are helping people living with HIV and AIDS and working with health professionals and Muslim leaders to raise awareness on prevention and tackle stigma and discrimination.
Our partners
ASDP Nau enables remote communities in the north of Tajikistan to improve their incomes and living standards, and increase their resilience to disasters.
It has helped farmers develop business projects and tackled energy shortages by helping communities access sustainable energy solutions for homes, schools, community centres and hospitals.
Rights and Prosperity works across Tajikistan on social reform, children’s rights, and transparency. Funded through Christian Aid and DFID’s Global Transparency Fund, it has set up Public Chambers where people in small towns and rural areas are able to get help to demand their rights. This is helping to tackle corruption.
MHAIDS has expertise in supporting the mental health needs of people living with HIV and AIDS and in reducing stigma. It is one of the first health organisations in Tajikistan to work with Muslim-faith leaders, encouraging them to incorporate messages on HIV awareness, prevention, and tackling discrimination into religious worship.
Further content
• Challenges in Tajikistan
What you can do
• Help us continue our support of partners by donating.
• Take action to help eradicate poverty and injustice across the world.
