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Story
02 March 2023
A story from a virologist in Kyrgyzstan: better labs as a bridge to a stronger health system
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Story
02 March 2023
A community leader in Kyrgyzstan issues an urgent call to fellow villagers: Get vaccinated
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Story
22 February 2023
Smartphone app aids midwives in Kyrgyzstan
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Kyrgyz Republic
The UN and its partners in Kyrgyzstan are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice for development that works for all people. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important to act in cooperation.
Press Release
08 February 2023
UN Peacebuilding Fund Joint Steering Committee Reviews Ongoing and New Projects in the Kyrgyz Republic
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic - The Joint Steering Committee (JSC) of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF) held its meeting today, co-chaired by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Antje Grawe, and the Head of the Department for Political and Economic Research of the Presidential Administration, Mr. Almas Isanov. The JSC, composed of government representatives, UN, development partners, and civil society, provides crucial oversight for UN PBF peacebuilding and social cohesion projects in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Since 2010, the UN PBF has allocated a total of $56 million to support peace initiatives in the country. The current phase of UN PBF's work for the period of 2021-2026, based on the request of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, focuses on promoting transparent governance, inclusive civic identity, and trust and cooperation between border communities.
At the meeting, progress was presented on three projects with a total budget of $5.1 million. Discussions were also held on two additional projects with a total budget of $3.9 million, aimed at promoting local peace initiatives, including those led by women and closer partnerships between government and civil society at local level.
The UN Resident Coordinator emphasized the importance of building trust at all levels and reminded attendees that UN PBF projects aim to foster a culture of peace in society whilst building capacities and providing platforms for peaceful resolution of differences. The Head of the Department for Political and Economic Research of the Presidential Administration, Mr. Almas Isanov, underlined the importance of further preserving and strengthening tolerance and inclusivity in the country as prerequisites for peace and economic prosperity.
The Joint Steering Committee plays a critical role in ensuring accountability and sustainability of UN PBF-supported initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic. These initiatives will continue to support peace and social cohesion efforts.
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Please click this link to see pictures from the event
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Press Release
24 January 2023
UN calls for cross-sectoral approach to transform education system in Kyrgyzstan
According to UNICEF’s global report ‘Are children really learning?’, in Kyrgyzstan, more than half of the children aged 10 and attending Grade 3 do not have foundational reading and numeracy skills. It means that in a class of 40 children, only 12 students would be able to read a textbook designed for their age. This learning crisis disproportionally affects the most vulnerable children and is a major driver of inter-generational poverty and inequality. Also, as 38 per cent of the country’s population are currently children under the age of 18, it is estimated that within the next decade, every year, over 350,000 young people will be entering the labour market. Therefore, it is critical to invest in enhancing their employability and specific job skills that prepare them adequately for the local market now.
The UN in the Kyrgyz Republic reiterates its continued support to the realization of Kyrgyzstan’s national commitments, which the Kyrgyz Government articulated during the Transforming Education Summit (TES), convened by the UN Secretary-General in New York in September 2022. These commitments will help accelerate reforms to transform Kyrgyzstan’s education system to make it fitter for the future: more relevant, more inclusive and more adaptive to future challenges. Education plays a critical role in human capital development and can serve to accelerate progress towards national development priorities and all the Sustainable Development Goals. It requires a cross-sectoral approach, and the UN Country Team in the Kyrgyz Republic is committed to supporting such approach, together, in the spirit of this year‘s theme of the International Day of Education: “to invest in people, prioritize education”.
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Press Release
25 January 2023
Switzerland allocates over USD 9 million to support most vulnerable rural communities in climate change and disaster risks resilience
The Government of Switzerland will allocate over USD 9 million for the WFP CSP pillar aimed at building the resilience of the most vulnerable rural communities against climate change and disaster risks. This component is being implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The activities will cover Osh, Batken, Jalalabad and Naryn provinces and support around 250,000 most vulnerable households, as well as targeted local authorities and institutions on the national level to build a systemic approach in managing hazards, such as droughts, mudslides, floods, etc. Reliable and timely climate information, disaster-resilient planning and selected infrastructure support will be provided to the beneficiaries.
Disaster risk management activities will also be strengthened to prepare for climate related hazards and reduce their impact on food and nutrition security. The vulnerable communities will be provided with food security and livestock insurance tools and will be trained on build-back-better mechanisms.
The contribution implementation is foreseen for the next five years.
For more information about the project and WFP, please contact: Almaz Tchoroev, Communications Officer,
tel: +996 550 577 597, email: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.org
For more information on Swiss Development Cooperation, please contact: Tursunai Chodurova, Communications Officer, Swiss Embassy/Bishkek, tel: +996 770 710054, email: tursunai.chodurova@eda.admin.ch
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The Government of Switzerland provides assistance for the development of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since 1994, Switzerland has granted around CHF 500 million to Kyrgyzstan in the form of technical, financial and humanitarian support. For more information, please visit https://www.eda.admin.ch/bishkek.
Follow us on www.facebook.com/SwissEmbassyKyrgyzstan
www.instagram.com/swissembkyrgyz
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgrammeKyrgyzstan/, https://www.instagram.com/wfp_kyrgyzstan
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Story
02 March 2023
A story from a virologist in Kyrgyzstan: better labs as a bridge to a stronger health system
Well-functioning laboratories are essential for improving health care and public health in Kyrgyzstan. Accurate laboratory results help to diagnose patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases, which currently cause every second death in the country. Laboratory testing for sensitivity to anti-tuberculosis drugs is also needed to find appropriate treatment for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), another high-burden disease in Kyrgyzstan.
Today Dr Erkingul Baltabaeva shares her views on why laboratories are also important for protecting public health through detecting and controlling infectious diseases and preventing outbreaks. She has been working as a virologist for many years and joined the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance under the Ministry of Health last year.
WHO improves the capacity of health workers and strengthens the role of laboratories
Dr Baltabaeva is one of 96 laboratory specialists who had been trained in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection by WHO. The training involved local polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method experts from the National Tuberculosis Center, AIDS centers, Republican Center for Quarantine and Especially Dangerous Infections, State Centers for Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of Bishkek and the Jalal-Abad, Osh and Issyk-Kul regions, and private laboratories.
The training was developed to equip laboratory specialists with basic skills for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. Dr Baltabaeva, together with her colleagues, also received face-to-face training in biosafety in laboratory settings and in working with high-threat pathogens and dangerous materials, as well as training in safe collection, transportation, processing, and preparation of samples for further testing.
As Dr Baltabaeva states, “I deepened my knowledge and laboratory experience through this training. It covered a lot of practical skills, which was extremely helpful.”
“We’ve been working around the clock during this pandemic to meet testing requirements and accomplish our mission – and we’re still doing it,” she continues. “We realize that COVID-19 will stay with us a long time. At the same time, the knowledge and skills received through the WHO training will stay with us forever. Of course, we will continue to sharpen our knowledge and skills because we always have to be ready for new threats.”
Further strengthening capacities in the country
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO successfully trained over 500 health workers from intensive care units, the Republican Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, primary health-care centres, and 2 military hospitals in the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. The improved capacities of the health workers and the supplies and equipment provided to hospitals and isolation centres helped to ensure the provision of appropriate clinical care for patients and a safe environment at health facilities for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, WHO continues to provide the Ministry of Health and technical experts with updated evidence, recommendations and WHO guidelines on prevention, laboratory diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and other high-threat pathogens.
Dr Baltabaeva remembers that early in the COVID-19 pandemic SARS-CoV-2 variants had begun emerging in countries around the world, but laboratories in Kyrgyzstan were not able to determine whether any of them were circulating locally. However, WHO assisted in sending the samples to international WHO reference laboratories for sequencing, which made it difficult to monitor the epidemiological situation in real time. Thanks to WHO and other partners, genomic sequencing capabilities were established in the country, which was a notable public health success.
WHO’s Better Labs for Better Health initiative
Since 2015 Kyrgyzstan has been implementing WHO’s Better Labs for Better Health initiative. As part of the initiative, WHO leads and coordinates the efforts of national health authorities, donors, and development partners to build national laboratory capacity in different areas, such as policy-making, introducing and implementing national and international quality standards, strengthening laboratory services, and training laboratory specialists.
In recent years Kyrgyz health authorities have been establishing national standards for laboratory certification and a quality management system for laboratory research. To prepare national laboratories for accreditation in accordance with the international standard ISO 15189, Kyrgyzstan has introduced a mentoring programme for laboratories. Addressing the need for human resource development, the country has evaluated and updated the national training curriculum for laboratory personnel.
Such a comprehensive and coordinated approach enables Kyrgyzstan to optimally spend limited resources and gradually improve laboratory services with the overarching goal of strengthening the country’s health system and public health. For example, between 2013 and 2018 the number of laboratories accredited in accordance with international standards grew from 11 to 25. And the recently introduced HIV testing guidelines and new diagnostic techniques on TB and MDR-TB have significantly reduced the time needed to identify cases, ensuring early treatment initiation, as well as reducing and controlling further transmission.
WHO provides supplies of laboratory kits and personal protective equipment
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic WHO delivered to Kyrgyzstan personal protective equipment and provided PCR test kits for COVID-19 response and laboratory confirmation of positive results. In addition, WHO handed over supplies of laboratory consumables for sample collection and testing.
WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health with COVID-19 response trainings for health-care workers, including laboratory, primary health, hospital, and public health specialists.
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Story
02 March 2023
A community leader in Kyrgyzstan issues an urgent call to fellow villagers: Get vaccinated
Abdyjapar Safarbekov has lived in Ak-Jar, a rough-hewn settlement known as a novostroika, with his family for more than 17 years. This settlement, consisting of 1900 households with 5600 inhabitants, is located on the outer limits of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, along with 47 other settlements established in 2005.
Like thousands of other Kyrgyz citizens, Abdyjapar considers himself an internal migrant. He moved to the capital mainly for economic reasons, hoping for a better life. Bishkek and Osh are popular destinations for internal migration and internal migrants make up a reported 35% of Bishkek’s population. Most of them live in informal settlements around Bishkek, which means their numbers may even be higher than officially reported.
As Abdyjapar explains, he struggles to access health and social services due to a registration system known as propiska, which requires migrants to register to receive public services such as health care, water, education, and energy.
To obtain city registration, internal migrants must receive legal status for their homes and complete additional paperwork, which is a costly and time-consuming process, especially in light of precarious, seasonal or part-time employment.
Vaccination hampered by socioeconomic challenges
Abdyjapar was elected as head of the village last year to solve the socioeconomic difficulties of his community. Among his activities in this role, he actively promotes COVID-19 and routine vaccination among villagers. As he emphasizes, “I believe that vaccination can save lives.”
“COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been a real challenge amid all the rumours and disinformation about the vaccine,” continues Abdyjapar. “The reluctance stems partly from myths such as the pandemic being a foreign conspiracy. The hesitancy is also based on cultural and religious beliefs.”
To counter myths and misinformation, Abdyjapar involves religious leaders to deliver sermons, to remove doubts and fears, as part of an awareness campaign. After a detailed conversation with vaccine-deniers about the importance of vaccination for their overall health, villagers usually agree and accept the shot.
Abdyjapar has also helped mobile immunization teams organize vaccination sessions for his community members and encourages people to take advantage of this opportunity to be vaccinated in line with the national immunization schedule and against COVID-19.
Mobile immunization teams help to improve access to immunization
With technical assistance from WHO, health authorities in Kyrgyzstan established mobile immunization teams to improve access to immunization services and COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic for people living in remote, hard-to-reach settlements and for children of internal migrants in large urban settlements such as Ak-Jar.
The mobile immunization teams have been vital in filling gaps in immunization coverage caused by a disruption in the provision of routine immunization services during the pandemic, tailored carefully to the needs of the population.
For example, in the period May–December 2020, the mobile teams vaccinated 155 003 people, including 80 153 children under one year of age, and 18 949 adults with the vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria (Td vaccine).
In 2021, teams involved in 6 rounds of mobile immunization sessions vaccinated an additional 171 161 people, including 158 047 children under 16 years of age. The mobile teams also provide vaccination against COVID-19.
Any disruption of immunization services, even for short periods, can result in an accumulation of susceptible individuals and a higher likelihood of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Such outbreaks may result in severe illness and deaths and an increased burden on health systems already strained by the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Monitoring visits to understand local needs
Since the start of the pandemic, the WHO Country Office for Kyrgyzstan together with the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis has conducted regular monitoring visits across the country to provide technical support to remote areas and district immunologists as well as to public health services for better planning of the work of mobile teams, and for receiving feedback from field workers on their needs.
The monitoring teams have noted, for example, that all required infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have been strictly followed during mobile immunization sessions in the field. In addition, all mobile immunization teams have been equipped with sanitizers, personal protective equipment (PPE), and first aid kits, with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for COVID-19-related activities.
Abdyjapar thanks WHO and other partners for organizing the mobile immunization teams. “I am grateful to our health care workers for their hard work and dedication. Many people appreciate your efforts so much and I am very grateful to have selfless people like you working at the frontline,” says Abdyjapar.
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Story
22 February 2023
Smartphone app aids midwives in Kyrgyzstan
Dilara Safarova knows she can rely on the Safe Delivery application when faced with a complicated delivery. “The app provides evidence-based content, in line with WHO recommendations, on a range of topics, including active management of labour, postpartum haemorrhage and emergency first aid for newborns,” she explains.
The pocket-sized digital reference tool, launched in Kyrgyzstan in May 2019, provides Dilara and qualified midwives like her with guidance to deal with various situations in their practice, improving health outcomes. It is free of charge and can be accessed without an internet connection, making it especially useful for those working in remote areas. The app is available in multiple languages, including Kyrgyz and Russian, and tailored to local cultural and working environments, greatly facilitating adoption.
The Safe Delivery App was developed by the Maternity Foundation in Denmark, in partnership with the University of Copenhagen and the University of Southern Denmark, and adapted to the Kyrgyz context in close collaboration with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, the Kyrgyz Association of Midwives, and the German federal enterprise for international cooperation (GIZ). It is in use in more than 40 countries.
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Story
22 February 2023
Changing social norms to end violence against women and girls in Kyrgyzstan
“This is our new family business. Each loaf of bread is made with lots of love because each of us contributes to making it delicious,” enthuses 38-year-old Gulnaz Almambet kyzy, a new business owner who received Spotlight Initiative-supported gender equality training implemented by UN Women in Kyrgyzstan.
Based on the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), the training aims to reduce violence by talking with communities about the power dynamics in their homes.
According to a 2012 country survey, 50 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women believe that a husband is justified in hitting his wife in certain situations. Further, 27 per cent of women and girls aged 15-49 years old who are married or have ever been married reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a spouse or partner.
When unpaid work such as childcare and housework is placed predominantly on women, it contributes to unequal power dynamics and can result in an increased likelihood of violence. In 2015, women spent twice as much time as men taking care of children and nearly triple the time on household chores, according to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. This burden limits women’s opportunities in formal paid work, resulting in stress and burnout, lower productivity at work and low wages.
Transforming one home at a time
Ms. Almambet kyzy and her husband of 17 years were among more than 2,500 women and 1,600 men who attended community-level GALS training in the provinces of Chui and Naryn in 2021. Working with families, the training provides opportunities for women and men to discuss their relationships and reflect on the social norms that impact their roles in the family.
“Using the GALS methodology, my husband Rakhat and I saw visually how the tree of our family looked and it was not very beautiful in terms of distribution of household labour, family budget and decision-making,” shares Ms. Almambet kyzy. “We both work 40 hours a week, but he used to come home from work and lie on the couch watching TV, while I was responsible for doing all the housework in the evenings. Unfortunately, it is acceptable behaviour in our country.”
“It is considered shameful in our community when a husband does chores like washing dishes and preparing meals as these are considered purely women’s responsibilities. Since early childhood, we grew up with these social norms and beliefs,” she says.
After the GALS training, the couple reassessed their roles in caring for the household and their four children. Now, both Ms. Almambet Kyzy and her husband equally split household chores such as preparing meals and cleaning, as well as outdoor activities like building a new toilet or looking after their cattle.
“The atmosphere in our family has improved a lot with better communication and a more equal distribution of family chores,” says Ms. Almambet Kyzy. “It gave me some time to make my dream come true and open my own business, which has increased our family income by 50 per cent.”
With a more equal distribution of household chores, the family now has more time for leisure. Photo: Education Community Development
A new narrative
In addition to community-level GALS training, UN Women is also working to change social norms in Kyrgyzstan by working in partnership with the media. Under the Spotlight Initiative, journalists from 17 national media organizations took part in a five month-long assessment on gender sensitivity.
“When a journalist writes an article or prepares material, they must understand that they have a huge responsibility and the news must move people in the right direction,” says Ms. Rakhat Batyrbekova, Editor of the Chui Oblast TV and Radio Company STV, who participated in the training. “The media plays one of the most important roles in promoting gender equality and so a journalist must be gender sensitive. Unfortunately, in our country, such people could previously be counted on one hand.”
After the journalists had completed the course, the 17 participating media organizations and the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy co-developed and adopted a Gender Code. The code requires that all signatories apply gender-sensitive approaches in their work and media reporting as well as in their workplaces.
“Gender stereotypes and social norms are major drivers of violence against women and girls, but gender equality is largely viewed as a foreign or ‘western’ concept that undermines the traditional roles of women and men in Kyrgyz society,” notes Ms. Anara Aitkurmanova, UN Women Programme Coordinator.
“Our prevention work under the Spotlight Initiative targets all levels of society, and each project helps to reinforce the changes needed to transform harmful social norms, behaviours and practices. Prevention work can sometimes feel hopeless, but it is about changing one family or one media story at a time. And we are seeing positive results,” she concludes.
Despite its pervasiveness, violence against women is preventable. This 16 Days, we’re highlighting the programmes and initiatives making a difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide. Through education, advocacy, service provision and more, UN Women and partners are working to support survivors, bring perpetrators to justice and end gender-based violence once and for all. These impact stories prove that a better future is not only possible—it’s already being built.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations funded by the European Union. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Under the Spotlight Initiative, UN Women is working to create positive social norms inside the home and out.
Originally published on the Spotlight Initiative website
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Story
22 February 2023
Positive Deviance approach paves the way for equal opportunities for youth combating HIV/AIDS stigma in Kyrgyzstan
“I used to think you could contract HIV by kissing another person. Before, I didn’t understand how the virus is transmitted. I'm glad I was able to learn more about HIV infection,” shared Muhammed Zakhidjanov, a 24-year-old participant from Osh at a TEDx event organized by the local non-profit organization Life+ with the support of UN Women in Kyrgyzstan.
Widespread misconceptions about HIV transmission contribute heavily to the social exclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Gaining more knowledge inspired Zakhidjanov to become active himself and to share it at his university: “Thanks to the trainings, I decided to conduct an information session at my university and convey my knowledge to other students because I want that we live in a country free from stigma and discrimination.”
According to UNAIDS estimates, around 12,140 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Kyrgyzstan in 2022. Due to a hospital-acquired infection outbreak in 2005, there is a high proportion of young people living with HIV in the country. However, accurate figures are difficult to obtain because many people do not disclose their status due to persistent social stigma. Women and girls living with HIV/AIDS in the south of Kyrgyzstan often face multiple forms of discrimination due to not only their health status but also the more conservative, rural and religious customs in this part of the country. Social stigmas limit their rights to access medical care, social and legal services, education as well as freedom from discrimination and (self-)stigmatization.
Under the project “Promoting Innovations in Combating HIV and Eliminating Violence against Women in Kyrgyzstan”, UN Women Kyrgyzstan and six implementing partners used a peer-to-peer methodology as well as the “Positive Deviance” approach to reduce social stigma and self-stigmatization regarding HIV/AIDS among youth. The approach aims to solve complex problems by learning from people who are succeeding despite myriad challenges – so-called positive deviants. By being presented with positive examples of PLWHA and by gaining more knowledge about the topic, young people learn to debunk transmission myths and false assumptions as well as how to combat stigma and educate people about HIV/AIDS.
Given how many young people are affected and that half of the population in Kyrgyzstan is under the age of 24, youth are important drivers of change. Therefore, one focus of this project was to conduct a series of inclusive, multilingual trainings for young people from different ethnicities, abilities, religions and sexual orientations in the Osh province. The various events introduced participants to the Positive Deviance approach and inspired them to take on responsibility for the future by giving people equal opportunities to be themselves in a world where there is no need to pretend or hide behind masks, stereotypes and labels.
Participants of the Academy of Gender Norms. Photo: Courtesy of New Rhythm.
Within the project partnership with the local youth organization New Rhythm, an event dubbed the “Academy of Gender Norms” was implemented for young people. The academy has become a place not only for learning, but also for networking and opportunities, providing inclusiveness for everyone. It offers the space to connect with like-minded people and collectively build a safer society for everyone.
The academy offered the chance to debate current problems, such as the violence women and girls living with HIV/AIDS face every day. Participants actively discussed how violence can and should be prevented. Youth learned the importance of knowing their rights and contacting law enforcement agencies or guardianship authorities if they experience or witness violence.
“This training has taught me about my rights and how to advocate for them in public institutions,” said Alim Alimov, an 18-year-old participant from Osh.
Ziedillo Atakuziev, also 18, added: “If every person knows their rights and fights for the rights of those around them, our country will definitely be able to achieve justice, and people will be able to support their loved ones and avoid becoming victims.”
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Press Release
26 January 2023
Ministry of Emergency Situations thanked UN for support to humanitarian efforts
The Minister of Emergency Situations, Mr. Boobek Azhikeev, presented letters of appreciation and medals to the DRCU Co-chair from the UN, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Antje Grawe and the DRCU sector leads and members.
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Press Release
25 January 2023
Japan supports over 25,000 people affected by the escalation of violence along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border
WFP received USD 500,000 to respond to the needs of vulnerable population affected by clashes. With the contribution from Japan and in line with the approach agreed with the Kyrgyz Government, WFP has provided 496 tons of fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil to over 25,000 of displaced people, host families, and returnees who participated in community recovery works in the affected areas. These activities include rehabilitation of community assets and cleaning culvert, drain, and canals. The needs for the works were raised from the affected communities, in close collaboration with local authorities and relevant line ministries.
UNHCR received USD 500,000 to aide internally displaced people and returnees with protection, emergency shelter and winterization assistance. As part of the project, UNHCR, through the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan, is supplying displaced people, returnees and host communities with essential core relief items, coal for heating, and emergency shelter to protect them from the cold winter until their homes are restored. The contribution from Japan is also enabling UNHCR, in cooperation with NGO Fergana Valley Lawyers without Borders, to help restoring property and civil documents, including birth certificates to ensure that displaced persons have legal proof of identity to access essential services, social benefits and humanitarian assistance.
For more information please contact:
Yelena Sim, UNHCR, External Relations | Tel: +7 727 258 4598, Mobile ++7 701 993 67 43, Email: sim@unhcr.org
Almaz Tchoroev, WFP Bishkek, Communications | Tel: +996 312 660033, Mobile: +996 550 577 597, Email: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.org
# # # UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights and helping them build a better future. UNHCR opened its representation in Kyrgyzstan in 1995, supporting the government to protect and find solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
# # # UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights and helping them build a better future. UNHCR opened its representation in Kyrgyzstan in 1995, supporting the government to protect and find solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
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Press Release
13 December 2022
Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis presents new evidence to combat the negative impact of malnutrition
The analysis will provide a framework for future actions to model interventions that could mitigate unaffordability of nutritious diets. The Kyrgyz Republic continues to face a complex challenge in improving nutrition among the public. Although stunting rates have decreased from 18 percent to 7 percent between 2012 and 2021, the percentage of children and adults suffering from overweight and obesity and associated non-communicable diseases have increased dramatically and micronutrient deficiencies continue to remain.
Nutrition is a crucial pillar in the development of a healthy and productive human-capital and nation. Good nutrition enhances physical and cognitive development, prevents diseases, and increases the potential of the workforce and society. Improving diets, especially of children and women, brings immediate and long-term health, education and economic benefits. Improving the nutrition situation in a country requires coordinated actions across the agriculture, social protection, health and education systems that are grounded in a good understanding of the local context and a synthesis of global and local evidence.
The FNG analysis is designed to help identify where opportunities to improve access to nutritious diets exist. By convening stakeholders from across sectors, the Government will have the opportunity to identify how food systems can be strengthened to support nutrition, and which interventions should be prioritized to enable households to access nutritious diets.
According to the results of the FNG analysis nutrient-adequate diets cost three times more than diets that meet only energy needs, the average daily cost of an energy-only diet for the five-person household was 107 KGS while a nutritious diet for the same household was nearly 3 times higher at 296 KGS per day. Poor diets are contributing to all forms of malnutrition in the Kyrgyz Republic. There is no single solution to improving nutrition outcomes; hence, combining nutrition-sensitive interventions with social protection programmes can contribute towards closing a household’s affordability gap. The analysis also recommends to strengthen the school feeding programme through clear guidelines and regulations around nutritional content of school meals, while also advocating for increased government financing and expanding school feeding programmes to additional age groups, such as pre-school children.
For more information about the project and WFP please contact: Almaz Tchoroev, WFP/Bishkek, Tel: +996 312 660033, Mobile: +996 550 577 597, email: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.org
# # #
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgrammeKyrgyzstan/,
https://www.instagram.com/wfp_kyrgyzstan
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Press Release
09 December 2022
Women's Film Week was held in Bishkek as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - from December 5 to 8, the National History Museum hosted a Women's Film Week as part of a 16-day activism against gender-based violence. Film Week aims to develop and support women filmmakers and the film community of Kyrgyzstan to give women filmmakers an opportunity to reach a wide audience and be heard. Every day from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., films were shown that touched on current, acute issues of gender inequality and violence through the lens of women filmmakers.
Women's Film Week is a collaboration between the EU-UN "Spotlight Initiative" and the Public Foundation for Creative Women in Asia, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy.
The presentation of the short feature film "Bashka biroo" was also held during the Film Week. The film is about the struggle of a Kyrgyz woman Ainagul for the life and safety of her friend Erkinay, about domestic violence and about grassroots activism. The author and director of the film is Zhanna Araeva, an expert on gender and media. The film was also made with the support of the EU-UN "Spotlight Initiative" as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.
The film is available for viewing at the following link.
Photos from the opening of Women's Film Week here
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Press Release
23 November 2022
For the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan trading of gender bonds started
On November 18th, 2022, for the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan, gender bonds trading started. This initiative was the result of a partnership between UN Women Kyrgyzstan, the Bank of Asia, the Institute for Economic Policy Research of the Kyrgyz Republic, AIFC Green Finance Centre (AIFC GFC), Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, and the financial company "Senti".
The Bank of Asia became the first bank-issuer of gender bonds in Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of gender bonds is to develop the business of women entrepreneurs, improve the welfare and livelihoods of women, contributing to gender equality, and women's rights and economic empowerment.
Gender bonds are loans at a reduced interest rate and are designed to grow the business of women entrepreneurs. The bonds were launched not only to empower women but are also expected to have a positive impact on the development of gender economy.
Ulziisuren Jamsran, the Representative of UN Women Kyrgyzstan, highlighted in her welcoming speech the contribution of gender bonds to the National Program to Support and Develop Women's Entrepreneurship in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2026 and the National Gender Strategy on Achieving Gender Equality by 2030.
"This initiative will give special attention to women entrepreneurs from suburban and rural areas and different regions of Kyrgyzstan who can bring huge dividends to the community, as women's economic empowerment and sustainable economic growth are mutually reinforcing processes", Ms. Ulziisuren Jamsran emphasized.
82,000 gender bonds worth 1,000 KGS each were put up for public auction. The period of their circulation is three years, and the total value of bonds is 82,000,000 KGS. 25% of gender bonds (20,500,000 KGS) were purchased within the first half an hour of trading, mainly by the business sector. Among the first buyers were the Accumulative Pension Fund of Kyrgyzstan; Lee Jong Beck, one of the shareholder of Bank of Asia; businessperson Jumabek Salymbekov; Nadira Kasymova, CEO of World Class Bishkek; the insurance company Jubilee Kyrgyzstan, and the association "Dordoi".
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One of the differences between social bonds and classic bonds is that the former are target bonds, the attracted funds of which will be used for social projects, and are issued in accordance with international principles established by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). The AIFC GFC, the only company in Central Asia accredited by ICMA and the Climate Bonds Initiative, carries out the verification of social bonds. For example, in
Kazakhstan, 60% of green bonds and loans are verified by the AIFC GFC and received the international recognition №1 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in accordance with the Global Green Finance Index.
You can leave an application to buy bonds at: www.inet.kg Event photos
One of the differences between social bonds and classic bonds is that the former are target bonds, the attracted funds of which will be used for social projects, and are issued in accordance with international principles established by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). The AIFC GFC, the only company in Central Asia accredited by ICMA and the Climate Bonds Initiative, carries out the verification of social bonds. For example, in
Kazakhstan, 60% of green bonds and loans are verified by the AIFC GFC and received the international recognition №1 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in accordance with the Global Green Finance Index.
You can leave an application to buy bonds at: www.inet.kg Event photos
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