DUSHANBE, June 12, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) has provided a $3 million grant through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a project to help communities in Khatlon province to be prepared when floods and other disasters strike.
The Government of Tajikistan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and ACTED Tajikistan signed a memorandum of agreement for this project in Dushanbe today.
The document was inked by Safarali Najmiddinov, Minister of Finance; Makoto Ojiro, ADB”s Country Director in Tajikistan; and Rano Mansurova, ACTED Coordinator in Tajikistan. Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Charge D”affaires, Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, witnessed the signing ceremony.
Speaking to reporters after the document-signing ceremony, Safarali Najmiddinov noted that the ADB had announced a tender for implementation of the project. “Several non-governmental organizations participated in the tender and the ACTED Tajikistan won that,” the minister said, noting that the project is expected to be finished in 2012.
For his part, Mr. Makoto Ojiro noted that every year, landslides, mudslides, and avalanches caused significant damage to houses, farms, irrigation systems, and transportation and communication infrastructure while villages and rural areas are ill-prepared to face hazards and risks.
“In poor countries like Tajikistan, government resources are limited. It is unrealistic to expect the government to finance all aspects of disaster management programs. The grant emphasizes a partnership among communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Government in preparing for and addressing disasters,” ADB”s Country Director said.
The JFPR provided the grant to enable 130 flood-prone villages in Khatlon province to anticipate and cope with floods and other disasters. The villages are situated in the five districts of Farkhor, Hamadoni, Vose, Panj, and Shuroobod. It will support communities to respond to flood risks by enabling NGOs to work with villages to develop community-specific comprehensive packages.
The plans will be endorsed by the national government”s Committee for Emergency Services (CES) and the local governments concerned. Communities can then implement flood preparation, monitoring and mitigation plans appropriate for their own areas and resources.
The Government, through the CES, will certify village preparedness, help provide safe havens and equipment, and run evacuation drills.
The project also involves the restoration of selected natural forest ecosystems, strengthening of riverbanks, protection of household areas against floods, and provision of added income based on these resources.
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) is an untied grant facility established by the Japanese Government and ADB in May 2000. From an initial contribution of $90 million, the Fund now stands at well over $360 million, of which $224 million has been committed. JFPR assists ADB clients to provide direct relief to the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society while building up their capacities for self-help and income generation.
The JFPR initiates and supports innovative programs that have high potential for improving the affected countries” situations, provides relatively rapid, demonstrable benefits through initiatives that have positive prospects of developing into sustainable activities over the long term, and assists programs designed and implemented by local populations and civil society
