Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan
Habitat for Humanity International commenced operations in Tajikistan in partnership with an American Humanitarian Organization Shelter for Life International (SFL) in 1999, two years after the end of the civil war.
The first project was implemented in Kurgan-Teppa, city suffered from Civil War, where Habitat supported 15 families who became victim of the conflict and lost their homes. In total 4 year partnership of HFH and SFL helped 67 families in Tajikistan to have decent place to live.
With the decision of HFH IBOD on April 2003 the New Affiliate and Resource Development office - Habitat for Humanity-Tajikistan was registered. In September 30, 2005 Habitat for Humanity - Tajikistan dedicated 100th house in Tajikistan.
To-date HFH Tajikistan has served more than 3000 families throughout the country. The number of families served has significantly increased for the last two years when Tajikistan was specified as a focus country in ECA region. This achievement was reached thanks to developing innovative programs/projects, strategic partnerships and enormous support by HFHI/ECA area office in developing capacity of national staff in Tajikistan and giving special emphasis and support in developing FR potential and capitalizing and focusing resources to innovative HFHT projects. The achievements were also acknowledged by number of HFHI/ECA Annual Area Awards HFH Tajikistan gained for the last 2-3 years for the increased number of families served, innovative program development, FR, etc.
The housing need in Tajikistan is enormously great and in order to bring tangible improvement and address this prevailing need more and more innovative and cost effective solutions and approach is highly required. HFH Tajikistan has developed number of strategic partnerships in DRM, Housing Finance, and WATSAN directions.
Thanks to the established partnership with UNDRM and Institute of Seismology of RT, HFH Tajikistan has developed local and affordable solution of earthquake safer construction techniques and methods and implemented series of projects involving other partners like Oxfam GB and Global Partners. Today through this project almost 300 families in earthquake affected/prone areas in Tajikistan have been assisted to build safe houses.
HFHT has launched a partnership project with Microfinance Institutions. The initial partner of HFHT in this huge market is First Microfinance Bank Tajikistan. The project was piloted serving 30 families and there is a plan for scale up and replication to other regions of the country.
Another successful partnership has been established with local NGO Nakukori “Improved health through improved quality of water – Bio-sand water filters.” The project is designed to address challenges rural communities face to access to safe water and consequently suffering from health problems caused by contraction with water-borne illnesses. So far almost 600 families benefited from this project as they have been provided and use clean and safe water purified by bio-sand water filters. This project has great potential for further growth and replication as the need for this type of solution in most rural areas of Tajikistan suffering with similar problems, is obvious and highly demanded.
HFH-Tajikistan has established and maintains very good relations with local community and government, which provides free land with partially provided infrastructures and unfinished apartment buildings for the HFH construction programs. One of the biggest and innovative projects of Habitat Tajikistan – rehabilitation of 9-storey 52 apartment building was created and implemented in partnership with the local government and Khujand State University to ensure that highly trained (but poorly paid) University professors stay in Tajikistan training students for the future. Habitat in partnership with partner families and University has renovated 52 apartments within 2 years.
Main programs/projects of focus
