A snapshot of the Consolidated Appeal for Tajikistan for 2000

How much is required?
Total of US$ 34.8 million for:

Food Security: US$ 20.2 million; Emergency Response and Preparedness: US$ 213,000; Health & Nutrition: US$ 6.9 million; Water & Sanitation: US$ 405,000; Education: US$ 410,000; Reintegration: US$ 4.3 million; Human Rights: US$ 125,000; Information Management & Coordination: US$ 2.1 million

WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?

  • Tajikistan continues along its fragile journey to consolidate the peace process initiated two years ago. Presidential elections were held peacefully this month but were considered undemocratic by the international community. The progress attained to date by the Government and the United Tajik Opposition in the peace process will be put to test further when the parliamentary elections take place at the beginning of next year.
  • About 85% of the Tajik population are estimated to live below the poverty line with 5% estimated to be destitute. The continued deterioration of living conditions has affected particularly severely vulnerable groups such as widows, pensioners and the disabled.
  • Humanitarian operations in Tajikistan are being implemented in response to conditions created by a mixed backdrop of gradual improvements in the political, economic and social sectors, and continued volatility, instability and insecurity within the region.
  • Tajikistan has as neighbours Kyrgyzstan (North), China (East), Pakistan (Southeast), Afghanistan (South) and Uzbekistan (Northwest).

WHAT IS OUR COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN?

  • To support the peace process by preventing further marginalization of populations at risk. The focus will be on (a) addressing emergency needs of vulnerable populations in health, food security, water and sanitation; (b) support the reintegration of former combatants and civilian returnees; and (c) secure a safe operating environment.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONSTRAINTS WE FACE?

  • Limited access: due to volatile security conditions.
  • Funding: lack of resources has resulted in lack of capacity to respond to arising emergency needs, and support initiatives geared towards peace consolidation and national recovery.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

  • Contribute to meeting the basic needs of hundreds of thousands of destitute people while concurrently supporting the gradual improvement of political and economic stability in the country.
  • Improve food security at national and household levels through the provision of food aid to destitute families, assist local authorities in the formulation of adequate policies and providing institutional support to the Government in terms of food production.
  • Strengthen local capacity to minimise the impact of and respond to natural disasters and emergency situations particularly those resulting in population displacement. Reinforce the capacity of local institutions to decrease dependency on international aid.
  • Provide relief aid to the most vulnerable groups, women, infants and children, especially in terms of essential health care, nutrition education and communicable diseases.
  • Increase access to safe water sources, adequate sanitation facilities and education.
  • Assist in the successful reintegration of former combatants and populations who have sought refuge within and across the national boundary.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT GET THE RESOURCES?

  • Relief agencies would lack the capacity to respond to potential crises resulting from the sudden deterioration of a situation which remains volatile despite gradual progress in the political and economic fronts.
  • Local authorities would lose the opportunity of developing a capacity to respond to natural disasters in a region prone to earthquakes, flash floods and landslides.
  • More vulnerable populations would be deprived of access to essential health services, safe water and education. In addition, humanitarian organizations would be hindered from developing a much needed local capacity to address health needs.
  • Efforts by civilian returnees and former combatants to restart productive activities in their communities of return would be jeopardized threatening an already unstable environment.

Please find more information on the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals for 2000 at http://www.reliefweb.int/appeals