TAJIKISTAN

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Development Challenge Humanitarian Assistance Other Donors FY2001 Program / Activity & Budget Information Summary Tables Program Summary Work Force Data Program/Sector Summary USAID Search: Tajikistan Previous Years' Activities 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 41     Introduction Tajikistan is a small, unstable, new state in Central Asia bordering Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan is emerging from five years of civil war between regional and ideological factions. The United States, the largest bilateral donor, is a key supporter of the 1997 Peace Accord. Securing the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the country is a fundamental goal of U.S. foreign policy. The fragile peace and potential disintegration of Tajikistan threaten regional stability and deflect attention within the region from critical economic and political change. Responding to humanitarian needs remains a key U.S. concern. USAID activities support the U.S. Embassy Mission Performance Plan which highlights the following U.S. priorities for national security in Tajikistan: ensuring that local and regional instabilities do not threaten the security and well-being of the United States and its allies; increasing adherence to democratic practices and respect for human rights; assisting recovery and broad-based economic growth after five years of civil war; and supporting privatization and reform of the banking systems. The Development Challenge Tajikistan is the poorest of the new Central Asian states and the only one in which underlying ethnic, regional, economic, and ideological strains led to open warfare and major population displacements in 1992, the time of independence. The June 27, 1997 Peace Accord opened a new phase in Tajikistan's short history, formally ending the civil war begun in 1992. The war left at least 50,000 dead and 700,000 displaced people. It also left a legacy of hatred and suspicion that makes reconstruction tenuous and difficult. Tajikistan has made important strides in carrying out the Peace Accord. USAID supports the reconciliation process and the rebuilding of institutional capacity. In the fall of 1998, the U.S. Ambassador and all U.S. employees from Dushanbe were relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 1999, the country was relatively stable, and opposition forces were reintegrated into civilian society. Unfortunately, due to the security situation, neither USAID officers nor contractors have easy access to development partners or clients. Programs must be managed with limited resident staff. A new constitution was adopted in late 1999. Demobilization has proceeded and parliamentary elections are planned for early 2000. On the negative side, the Government of Tajikistan continues to place significant obstacles to the full participation of opposition parties, as evidenced by the flawed presidential election in November 1999. As a result, election assistance has been put on hold. Tajikistan had slightly positive economic growth in 1999, leading to relative macroeconomic stability. Meanwhile, the Tajik ruble continues its decline, albeit at a slower pace. The Government of Tajikistan has been implementing International Monetary Fund (IMF) fiscal austerity policies. The macroeconomic situation had made up some lost ground, due primarily to dynamic service-sector growth of the economy. Progress in large-scale privatization is slow, but there are some hopeful signs with the completion of small-scale privatization and changes proposed to the antiquated Russian tax laws. In 1999, USAID increased its support for the peace process through reconstruction, assistance to civil society development, and constitutional and electoral reform. USAID also continued to provide advice and training on privatization and granted a contract to an Almaty-based think tank to carry out social and economic surveys. Tajikistan receives assistance with energy and environmental challenges through activities in USAID’s Central Asia Regional program. Most of USAID’s democracy work in Tajikistan is directed toward citizen community groups, helping citizens to rebuild their communities; reintegrating former combatants; and increasing opportunities for income generation, access to basic service, and citizens’ participation in governance. In the area of elections, there is cautious optimism that upcoming parliamentary elections will be freer and fairer than the presidential election last fall. For this reason, USAID is continuing some of its election-related assistance. The outcome of the parliamentary election will determine the nature and extent of any further USAID support in this area. Some short-term assistance and training is underway in economic restructuring, democratization, and health and family planning. USAID participant training programs both expose Tajik citizens to alternative approaches and systems for managing their country, and prepare the human resources needed for development once there is greater political stability. These partnerships and exchanges remain an important component of U.S. assistance. USAID trained over 340 reform-minded government leaders and professionals, in areas directly related to democracy and a free-market economy. Twenty percent of the trainees were women. USAID’s successful third-country training allows participants to observe positive reform in other Central Asian Republics. Due to the security situation in Tajikistan, training has been one of the most effective means of affecting change. Humanitarian Assistance USAID has been providing humanitarian-focused, support for economic development. Through the Tajikistan Social Investment Fund's poverty alleviation program, USAID supports community mobilization around water use issues; institutes measures to prevent water-borne diseases; and addresses policy issues related to water charges and consumer use. In 1999, USAID provided $3.78 million in PL480 Title II assistance (commodities and transportation), and $25,000 in assistance from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. An estimated $1.13 million PL480 Title II assistance (commodities and transportation) is budgeted for Tajikistan in FY 2000. Other Donors While the United States has taken the lead in responding to the humanitarian crises following the civil war, the IMF and the World Bank (IBRD) have provided substantial resources to support macroeconomic stability and reform. Thus far, $90 million has been disbursed from the IMF; $180 million from the IBRD for past and planned activities, and $40 million from the Asian Development Bank. The IBRD currently is financing a $12 million Poverty Alleviation Project with plans to initiate a second $10 million phase in 2000. The United Nations High Commission of Refugees provided significant assistance during the refugee repatriation period, with the United Nations Development Program moving into the field with increasingly significant resources since FY 1995. The European Union (EU) and individual EU countries (Turkey, Russia and Iran) have also assisted Tajikistan, as has the International Red Cross, supported in part by U.S. Government contributions. Large numbers of private voluntary organizations, including several from the United States, are active and effectively managing their programs. Country Background Information Resources   CIA Factbook Library of Congress National Geographic Country Maps State Dept. Country Information

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