Oxfam's work in Tajikistan in depth

In Tajikistan, Oxfam’s focus is on sustainable livelihoods, public health, disaster preparedness and building a stronger Tajik civil society.

The context

Tajikistan is the poorest of the former Soviet Republics. The economy has deteriorated dramatically since the end of Soviet rule – made worse by civil war during the 1990s and extended periods of drought. The Khatlon region is home to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people who live at a subsistence level. Oxfam is working with them, so that they can produce more food, and be better protected when threatened by natural disasters.

How is Oxfam helping?

Oxfam began working in Tajikistan in 2001, following two years of drought. We concentrate our programme in Khatlon Oblast, where some of the poorest people live, and rates of migration in search of work are high. We help people to make a living from agriculture, and work with rural communities so that they are able to be better prepared for natural disasters. We also respond to emergencies such as earthquakes and outbreaks of disease. Crucially for such a disaster-prone region, we aim to improve health and living conditions, and reduce the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Living off the land

Many families rely on growing fruit and vegetables in small ‘kitchen gardens’ – for their own consumption, and to sell for much-needed income. Uncompleted land reform means that few of them have reliable access to more land than their own household plots. For many, it’s a struggle to grow enough in the face of drought and poor harvests.

Farmers are now developing their plots having received innovative training from Oxfam in techniques for crop production, such as drip irrigation and organic farming approaches. Oxfam also provides seeds and tools – even tractors – and encourages the formation of producer associations that support whole communities. In particular, we work with women-headed households, as they tend to be among the most vulnerable.

We are exploring approaches that will support adaptation to changes in the climate.  Our energy saving initiatives such as adapted greenhouses, retrofitting passive solar heating to houses, and better insulation are helping households to decrease their outgoings on heating and to put manure back into the soil rather than use it as fuel.

Adapting to climate change

The power of nature is definitely a force to be reckoned with in Tajikistan – the country is prone to floods, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches. We are working with rural communities to be better prepared for such disasters, and more able to respond.

When devastating flooding hit the southern province of Khatlon in 2010, around 4,000 people were made homeless – 650 families lost their homes and belongings. Oxfam responded by providing clean water and constructing latrines.

We are working to ensure that rural voices of those affected by climate change impacts are heard at a global level – we recently launched a report on the effects of climate change in Tajikistan.

Water, sanitation and public health

In Tajikistan, an upstream country with abundant water resources, about 50% of people don't have access to safe drinking water. Oxfam's water and sanitation programme  is working in remote villages across Khatlon Oblast to repair and install water systems. We’re encouraging communities to set up their own Water Committees to look after and maintain facilities – such as springs, tap-stands and latrines. And we’ve equipped schools, households and health clinics with toilets. Together with the local government and key stakeholders, we’re working to ensure that these water systems are sustainable, and that people have access to the most basic human right – water.

In pictures: Women and water

On film: Bitter sweet water

Funded by EC, ECHO, Oxfam GB, Oxfam Novib and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

In emergencies our programmes in Tajikistan are also funded by the German Federal Government and by UKaid: funds from the Department of International Development.

Last updated: July 2010