ReliefWeb

In line with its strategy for 2008 to 2012, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan is building its capacities and scaling up its services to assist the most vulnerable people in the country. This is in alignment with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Global Agenda, thus contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At the same time it follows the Istanbul commitments and resolutions calling for a stronger engagement in migration. Taking into consideration the high rate of migration within and from Tajikistan, the National Society, with support from the International Federation is committed to supporting migrants in coordination with other stakeholders involved in migration issues.

In line with the Hyogo Framework for Action and the National Society's strategy, the disaster management programme continues to build the Red Crescent's capacity in disaster preparedness and relief policy. The National Society has already elaborated its contingency plan at the country level and its response plan. Emphasis will be placed on continuing to use the community participatory approach in disaster preparedness and risk reduction projects through its structural divisions, and developing the Red Crescent primary organizations at the local level.

With a view to scaling up the programme's activities to reduce vulnerability to diseases and trauma of the targeted communities, the Red Crescent is implementing community-based first aid, preventive health, hygiene education and social support. There are also programmes addressing Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, including harm reduction projects, and projects to decrease the number of water-borne diseases through better access to clean water and the promotion of proper hygiene practices. The health programme is built to be in line with the International Federation's global health and care strategy 2006-2010, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan's strategy for 2008-2012 and the MDGs.

Following the VII European Regional Conference of the International Federation, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan will scale up its health activities on the prevention of diseases and fighting stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV (PLHIV), TB patients and injecting drug users (IDUs). It will also advocate for access to preventive measures, and treatment in its TB programme as well as for health promotion, behaviour change and harm reduction. Moreover, the health and care programme will continue to involve PLHIV, TB patients and people from groups at higher risk in the design and implementation of the programme.

The organizational development and capacity-building needs of the Red Crescent have considerably expanded with the increasing desire to scale up services. Support in 2009-2010 will enhance the efforts to strengthen good governance and management in accordance with the recommendations provided in the 2008 evaluation report on the newly adopted National Society statutes process. Social mobilization, including membership/ volunteering and enhanced participation of youth at all levels, branch development through community-based activities and financial, human resource and logistical development of the National Society's branches will be prioritized.

The Red Crescent covers all of Tajikistan through its network of headquarters, 5 provincial branches and 69 district branches, and with its thousands of volunteers. Taking into account the needs of the vulnerable people, the capacity of the society, its core activities and other stakeholders in the country, the Red Crescent has been concentrating in areas where it can build on the expertise within the Movement. A community-based participatory approach is strongly emphasized, and the operational activities are mainly carried out by volunteers in the local branches.

The total 2009-2010 budget is CHF 3,047,485 (USD 2,785,635 or EUR 1,941,073).