Tajikistan
Tajikistan is the poorest country of the former Soviet Union. The country is still feeling the effects of the civil war that took place from 1992-1997. It is infamous for being one of the world’s largest transit countries for drugs from Afghanistan – opium poppy is grown in limited amounts in the country itself.
The relationship to its western neighbour Uzbekistan is strained, borders are disputed, and parts of the border have been mined by Uzbekistan. Only 6% of its 143,000 square kilometres is arable land, barely enough to feed the 7.3 million inhabitants. About 60% of its population are undernourished, 64% live below the national poverty line.
Ranking third in the world in terms of water resources per capita, the planned construction of gigantic hydropower stations poses a major threat to the environment and safety in this earthquake-prone region.
Poverty, inadequate sanitation, industrial pollution and excessive pesticides use decrease the health of the population and increase environmental degradation. Infant mortality is high. Rural areas are especially affected. About 26% of the rural population have tap water, but the quality of supply has to be questioned. About 40% use rivers or streams as drinking water sources. More than 90% of the rural population have to use pit latrines or open pits.
WECF is working towards improving the conditions for the rural population by increasing the access to safe drinking and adequate – ecological – sanitation. Poverty alleviation is a main condition for improving the quality of life of people.
WECF Projects in this country
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Tajikistan - Empowerment & Local Action Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Tajikistan. Partners: WPO “SAFO”, Agency Support Development Process Nau Issues: Agriculture, Energy, Water Duration: 01/2008 - 12/2010 |
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Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas. Partners: NGOs in several countries Issues: Energy, Agriculture, Water, Sanitation Duration: 01/2008 - 12/2010 |
Latest News
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PHAST transforms into PHAEST |
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Safe Sanitation and Water supply for 30,000 low-income people in the EECCA region |
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Workshop in Almaty "Towards a Toxic Free Future", Feb. 11-13. 2007 |
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CANEJ Project now finished in Central Asia |
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WECF members in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan providing water and sanitation in conflict and disaster areas are the “fire-fighters”. |
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Two new WECF publications on dry eco-toilets |
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150 million people in Eastern Europe and NIS without safe water and sanitation |
