Turkmenistan

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Development Challenge The USAID Program Other Program Elements Other Donors Program Data Sheets Summary Tables USAID Search: Turkmenistan Previous Years' Activities 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Last updated: 31     (text taken from the FY 2003 Congressional Budget Justification) THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Of all the Central Asian Republics (CARs), Turkmenistan is the slowest to reform. The U.S. has a strong interest in the development of Turkmenistan's energy potential, but its continued self-isolationism limits United States involvement and opportunities in this regard. Turkmenistan has the longest border with Afghanistan, and its supportive role in supplying humanitarian relief for Afghanistan has been essential: it facilitated over 30% of the food aid for Afghanistan. Notwithstanding this cooperation, there appears little change in a regime characterized by patronage and corruption, a highly restrictive visa regime, suspicion of civic action and the media, and state-control over and distortion of the economy, as well as unsustainable water use. Freedom House has consistently rated Turkmenistan as "not free", with the lowest ranking of political rights and civil liberties possible on the Freedom House scale. A weak judiciary follows the will of the President for Life and is unprepared to protect civil and commercial rights. Civic action is still very risky, though a handful of non-governmental organizations (NGOs_, such as water user associations, has taken up issues at the local level to some effect. While the lack of significant political or economic reform calls into question and limits USAID programs in Turkmenistan, promising social, civic and people-to-people efforts warrant modest support to build for the future. There is almost no competitive business sector in Turkmenistan, and over-regulation continues to stifle any potential for growth in this sector. Due to the lack of transparency and an unwillingness to share information, precise numbers on Turkmenistan's per capita GDP and debt are not available, although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the GDP per capita income is $652. Due to the government's willingness, health reform shows some promise, although the situation is bad: the infant mortality rate in Turkmenistan is now the second highest in Central Asia, just behind Tajikistan, with 74 deaths per every 1,000 live births. According to the results of the 2000 Turkmenistan Demographic and Health Survey, 47% of women and 36% of children are anemic. This past year when Turkmenistan's neighbors sought relief for a drought in the region for several years, Turkmenistan's leadership would not publicly acknowledge or discuss the shortage of water. Agriculture consists of forced cotton and wheat production, state profiteering and wasteful water use. Despite these problems, USAID remains welcomed by the leadership and has had modest successes with local-level efforts in health, energy and training. THE USAID PROGRAM: FY 2002 Estimate: $7.07 million FY 2003 Request: $7.0 million To meet these challenges, the goal of USAID in Turkmenistan is to expand opportunities for citizens to participate, to increase their livelihoods and to improve their quality of life. The Program Data Sheets provided below cover the four objectives for which USAID is requesting funds for Turkmenistan: primary health care; water and energy management; democratic culture; and small enterprise; with cross-cutting objectives in conflict mitigation; youth and education; gender; anti-corruption; and rule of law. FY 2002 funds will be used to implement the program as planned and described in the FY 2002 Congressional Budget Justification. The specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations are described in more detail in the following Program Data Sheets. USAID will use $300,000 of the FY 2003 request to fund a new community development program (CAIP), while the remaining $3.7 million will fund ongoing efforts. On-going Programs for Which No FY 2002 or FY 2003 Funding is Requested: USAID is not requesting new funds, but is continuing to expend funds already appropriated for the following: Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 120-041 Special Initiatives FY 02 CBJ, p. 666 FY 02 120-031 Human Suffering FY 02 CBJ, p. 666 FY 02 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: Partnerships, training and exchanges remain an important component of U.S. assistance. Through its Global Training for Development Program, USAID trained about 1,000 Turkmen citizens in all areas including economic and business education, NGO-sector development and primary health care in FY 2001. This program also exposed key water/irrigation and education personnel to neighboring countries' approaches to solving issues of mutual interest. USAID/CAR takes advantage of several centrally managed programs, including the inter-agency agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and a regional mechanism for reproductive health. The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance has had a presence in Turkmenistan since October 2001. The Farmer-to-Farmer program, also active in Turkmenistan, is financed through P.L. 480 and managed by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Response. Eurasia Foundation grant-making has generally not been successful. The Departments of State and Defense also manage programs complementary to USAID's field activities. OTHER DONORS: World Bank lending has been restricted due to an unresolved negative pledge. The European Union - Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (EU-TACIS) continues to support improved agricultural production and processing, energy, and private sector development. The United Nations Children's Fund assists with maternal and child health care. The United Nations Development Program supports economic reform and management, the health and education sectors, and environmental protection. Other donors include the United Kingdom Department for International Development, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Canadian International Development Agency and the World Bank's Global Environmental facility continue to support natural resource management through their regional programs. The Asian Development Bank is in the process of approving a country strategy. The European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) has suspended future loans but continues to service its existing portfolio. The International Finance Corporation closed its office in November. Program Data Sheets 120-0131  An Improved Environment for the Growth of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises 120-0161  Improved Management of Critical Natural Resources, including Energy 120-0211  Strengthened Democratic Culture Among Citizens and Targeted Institutions 120-0320  Improved Utilization of Quality Primary Health Care for Select Populations 120-0420  Crosscutting Programs Country Background Information Resources     CIA Factbook Library of Congress National Geographic Country Maps State Dept. Country Information

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