Roshtqala, Tajikistan, September 28, 2021– The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Thrive Tajikistan: Partnership for Socio-Economic Development program, officially opened a new drinking water supply system and school latrine in Roshtqala district of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). The drinking water supply system brings clean, reliable water directly to around 448 people in Medon and Savir villages, and the school latrine improves access to proper sanitation for close to 434 schoolchildren and teachers.
The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon, attended the event as part of his visit across Gorno-Badakhshan in celebration of Tajikistan’s 30 years of independence.
Roshtqala district is in a mountain valley located along a torturous river about 40 kilometers from the regional center of Khorugh. About 64 percent of the population in Medon and Savir previously lacked access to safe water, and the pit latrine at School #26 was in poor conditions and did not meet sanitary standards. AKF and the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) worked with the district government and local communities to address these needs by constructing a new gravity-fed water supply system, drawing from mountain springs and fitted with water meters, as well as a modern sanitation facility with flush toilets and separate spaces for males and females.
To ensure its sustainability, the district government has designated the State Unitary Enterprise, Khojagii Manziliyu Komunali, to oversee operations and maintenance of the new drinking water supply system. Households, as well as public and private institutions, will pay for the water based on a set tariff. Thrive also launched a community outreach campaign to increase awareness and encourage behavior change that will lead to improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
Thrive Tajikistan: Partnership for Socio-Economic Development is a five-year (2018-2023) program that aims to enhance integrated socio-economic development in 16 districts of Khatlon and GBAO. With the support of AKF and USAID, to date, the Thrive Tajikistan program has constructed three drinking water supply systems and three school latrines in Hamadoni, Panj, and Roshtqala districts, helping 5,506 people access clean drinking water and 1,767 people improve sanitation and hygiene.
About USAID: USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. Since 1993, USAID has partnered with the Government of Tajikistan to strengthen good governance, boost economic growth, improve education, health, food security and bolster regional economic connectivity.
For more information, visit the USAID/Tajikistan website: https://www.usaid.gov/tajikistan and the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.dushanbe/
About AKF: AKF partners with communities, nonprofits, businesses, governments, and local leaders to make long-term investments, build permanent institutions, and cultivate an active civil
