2008 Embassy News
U.S. Government continues efforts to alleviate poverty in Tajikistan
Khatlon Region, November 12, 2008. To alleviate poverty and mitigate a food crisis in Tajikistan this coming winter, the State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia George Krol and Ambassador Tracey Jacobson visited Tajik residents in small towns of the Vaksh and Jomi districts, to observe food preservation training and distribute cash and wheat seeds. The events were part of USAID funded programs implemented by Save the Children.
The diplomats traveled first to Navkoram in the Tojikobod jamoat of Vaksh district, where they observed a training session on food preservation conducted by Save the Children. Learning effective food storage methods will help families maintain food supplies in the winter, since faulty storage resulted in the loss of food in past winter seasons. In the Dusti jamoat od Jomi district, they helped hand out cash payments of $150 each and wheat seeds to families.
The distributions were part of a special $6 million 2008 USG assistance package provided to Tajikistan to help families cope with the coming winter. Save the Children coordinated with local community structures to provide cash to the most vulnerable households. They selected recipients for the wheat seed based on vulnerability criteria and the availability of arable land and labor.
Overall, the program will reach more than 2,000 households that will each receive $150. More than 3,400 households will also receive 50 kg of wheat seed, sufficient to plant about one quarter hectare each.
USAID through Save the Children is addressing the root causes of poverty in the Khatlon Region as part of its integrated food security program. The program supports women, children, and community members by demonstrating nutrition, organic farming, community mobilization, health practice and sanitation.