Every year, Tajikistan experiences over five thousand tremors and earthquakes. These can reach up to 7 or 9 on the Richter scale. The most vulnerable members of the population suffer most as they are more likely to live in substandard housing that will not withstand these quakes.
Habitat Tajikistan started a disaster response program back in 2007, after the devastating earthquake in the Kumsangir district, southern Tajikistan.
Being member of REACT network (Rapid emergency assessment coordination team), Habitat Tajikistan has implemented a number of partnership initiatives with local and international NGOs and institutes, such as Oxfam, Global Partners, UNDRMP, WFP, Caritas and Institute of Seismology. It served more than 350 families in the Kumsangir, Khuroson, Rasht and Norak districts.
In close partnership with the Institute of Seismology, Habitat Tajikistan developed an affordable, environmentally friendly and locally replicable technology to make the homes of vulnerable communities more earthquake resistant. The technology has been adopted and included into the official construction code as a norm for rural houses construction.
The main Disaster Response and Mitigation projects Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan implemented are:
