This report covers the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009.
In brief
Programme purpose: The programmes supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Tajikistan are aligned with the Global Agenda goals to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and impact from disasters; to reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies; to increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability; and to reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Programme summary: The International Federation is intensifying its humanitarian diplomacy activities on behalf of the National Society in the country. The International Federation country representative accompanied the National Society leadership to international conferences, meetings with the in-country international community, governmental officials and other stakeholders. The capacity and image of the society has been promoted through effective disaster management activities and rapid response to emergencies in early spring. The deployment of two regional disaster response teams (RDRT) during the emergency operation responding to mudslides and floods in the spring of 2009 was an important step towards enhancing cooperation between the National Societies of Central Asia in responding to disasters, which is part of the regional contingency plan developed in 2007.
The Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan has continued strengthening the capacity of communities living in most disaster prone areas of the country by establishing and training local disaster committees (LDCs) and raising their awareness to the most common hazards. In total 20 new LDCs were established.
Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) trainings were held in five communities of Sughd province. Fifty volunteers trained in sanitary and hygiene promotion issues shared their knowledge and skills with 500 community members in the five rural vulnerable communities. As a result of earlier water supply projects and PHAST trainings, some 320 local community members are directly involved in the construction of water supply systems.
The International Federation continued its support to improve the financial management of the Tajikistan Red Crescent. The financial system at headquarters level was computerized and advanced. Every partner working in Tajikistan through the Red Crescent Society has now its own project code which allows incoming funds to be properly managed and which subsequently improves fund-raising. Accountability of the National Society leadership to each partner has been increased by its commitment to conduct an annual external audit this year. Such a decision was the prerequisite for further work with cash transfers to the National Society and its branches, if necessary.
In the first half of the year, the National Society leadership took a strong initiative to organize the biggest-ever campaign in Dushanbe with the slogan "Our World, Your move". Promotion of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at all levels was ensured. At the solemn galaconcert on 8 May, the best and active volunteers of the Red Crescent Society were awarded and honored in front of the general public in Tajikistan via mass media and other campaigns.
Financial situation: The initial budget for 2009 was CHF 1,697,623. It was revised to CHF 1,952,629 (USD 1,798,567 or EUR 1,280,339), of which 77 per cent covered. Overall expenditure is 52 per cent against the funds received, with Norwegian Red Cross balance from 2008 carried forward. The budget was increased due to additional funds received from Finnish Red Cross for disaster preparedness and the additional funding from Swedish Red Cross to the winterization project.
See also: Tajikistan: Mudslides and Floods (MDRTJ005) Emergency Appeal
No. of people we help: In the first half of 2009, 103,718 people in Tajikistan benefited directly from the programme interventions of the International Federation's secretariat.