DUSHANBE, March 30, 2009, Asia-Plus — On March 27, over 150 representatives of the Tajik government, donor community, local and international businesses, and civil society organizations gathered in Dushanbe to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s work in Tajikistan., press release issued by the US Embassy in Dushanbe said.
In opening the event, U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson noted that “USAID is a key agency through which the United States has been delivering assistance to Tajikistan over the past 15 years.”
The event highlighted Tajikistan’s growth and development over the last 15 years, to which USAID has significantly contributed. Guests were invited to an exhibition of USAID’s projects in the country. Representatives of beneficiary organizations shared comments on their work with USAID with the goal of achieving Tajikistan’s strategic priorities.
President Kennedy created USAID in 1961 to administer the U.S. Government’s foreign assistance. USAID now works in more than 100 countries around the world. Its assistance programs in Tajikistan were launched in 1993. Since that time, USAID has remained a key donor in Tajikistan’s financial sector, health reform, and the development of local media and civil society organizations. USAID has significantly contributed to the strengthening of the National Bank, the commercial banking system, small businesses, and business education. It facilitated the drafting of the National Health Care Reform Program, helped reduce mortality from tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, and improved maternal and child health. USAID has also supported basic education, helped introduce civic education programs in schools, assisted the development of media and civil society organizations, as well as furthered judicial education and transparency in Tajikistan.
From 1992-1998 a significant part of the assistance focused on alleviating the consequences of the civil war, as well as natural disasters. USAID has also provided extensive assistance to address food shortages in the country and cope with other emergencies such as last year’s cold winter.
