On May 10-13, 2022, the working group representing the Government of Switzerland along with AKF, AKAH, MSDSP, and AKHS visited Rasht, Tojikobod, and Lakhsh districts of Rasht Valley in order to see the outcomes of the Integrated Health and Habitat Improvement (IHHI) project, says press release issued by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) resident Office in Tajikistan.
Mr. Andreas Gerrits (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Bern), Richard Chenevard (Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan), Svetlana Jumaeva (Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan), Alisher Shabdolov (Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan), Javlon Hamdamov (Head of Program), Sirus Khujamov (Senior Program Officer) from Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) met with the local municipalities and beneficiaries of the targeted districts to familiarize with the project’s activities.
The beneficiaries were very grateful to the Government of Switzerland and to the Aga Khan Foundation and other Aga Khan agencies: “Thank you very much the Swiss Government, this project helped me to establish a tree nursery, which helps me to generate my income, now I am planning to increase its (the tree nursery) size to meet the needs in the market”. — claimed one of the project beneficiaries — Hasan.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ The Disaster Risk Reduction
During the field trip, the working group visited two Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) sub-projects “Avalanche Risk Reduction Using Bioengineering Methods” in Bedak village of Pahno sub-watershed of Rasht and Sari Pul village of Shuraki Nushor sub-watershed of Tojikobod district. Moreover, they visited the Emergency shelter, stockpile and met with Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Bedak village of Rasht district constructed by AKAH.
In Rasht district AKHS through the fund of the Government of Switzerland supported the regional hospital with the X-Ray machine and e-health system. In Rasht Family Medicine Training Centre (RFMTC) during the entire period of the project studied 342 doctors and nurses in 1- and 6-month curses. More than 12000 people received the X-Ray services.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ The Clinic Excellence Center, where nurses take 6-month course
The working group also visited the Rasht hospital Clinic Excellence Center, where the doctors and nurses improve their skills and knowledge, as well as share knowledge with each other.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ A beneficiary (woman) is sharing outcomes of her greenhouse with the donors
The mission visited the greenhouse in Kaltaho village of Rasht district constructed in 2021 and planted at the end of December. The total area of the greenhouse is 150 m2 and 750 seedlings of tomato were planted. The seed was brought from Uzbekistan. Till May 12, the owner sold 1,216 kilograms of tomatoes at the price of 23 somonis per kilogram and get benefit of 27,968 somonis. In general, it was planned to sell more than 4,000 kilograms from this greenhouse.
IHHI project aims at fostering the active engagement of communities and local authorities in participatory development planning. The improved planning enhances access to and quality of healthcare, drinking water, and sanitation services while also improving local NRM and DRR. IHHI also promotes the adoption of community behaviors that are healthier, safer, and more environmentally sustainable. The main focus is paid to the communities, including women and youth, who participate actively as stakeholders/actors in local development.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) will be the project-leading agency and represent the AKDN Consortium in interactions with the Government of Switzerland funded projects in Tajikistan.
AKF brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalized communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity and improving the overall quality of life.
This year the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan marks 30th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Tajikistan. Over the past 30 years, around 500 million USD have been allocated in the form of grants to the Government of Tajikistan and the Tajik population. Within its Cooperation Program for Central Asia (2022-2025), Switzerland focuses on supporting economic, social and democratic development, promoting an integrated and regional approach in the complex field of transboundary water management, strengthening economic ties and promoting good governance.
