United Nations 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.

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Speech

12 December 2020

UN Secretary-General António Guterres: Carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission

As the world marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, a promising movement for carbon neutrality is taking shape. By next month, countries representing more than 65 per cent of harmful greenhouse gasses and more than 70 per cent of the world economy will have committed to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century. At the same time, the main climate indicators are worsening. While the Covid-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced emissions, carbon dioxide levels are still at record highs – and rising. The past decade was the hottest on record; Arctic sea ice in October was the lowest ever, and apocalyptic fires, floods, droughts and storms are increasingly the new normal. Biodiversity is collapsing, deserts are spreading, oceans are warming and choking with plastic waste. Science tells us that unless we cut fossil fuel production by 6 per cent every year between now and 2030, things will get worse. Instead, the word is on track for a 2 per cent annual rise. Pandemic recovery gives us an unexpected yet vital opportunity to attack climate change, fix our global environment, re-engineer economies and re-imagine our future. Here is what we must do: First, we need build a truly global coalition for carbon neutrality by 2050. The European Union has committed to do so. The United Kingdom, Japan, the Republic of Korea and more than 110 countries have done the same. So, too, has the incoming United States administration. China has pledged to get there before 2060. Every country, city, financial institution and company should adopt plans for net zero -- and act now to get on the right path to that goal, which means cutting global emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 compared with 2010 levels. In advance of next November’s UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Governments are obligated by the Paris Agreement to be ever more ambitious every five years and submit strengthened commitments known as Nationally Determined Contributions, and these NDCs must show true ambition for carbon neutrality. Technology is on our side. It costs more to simply run most of today’s coal plants than it does to build new renewable plants from scratch. Economic analysis 2 confirms the wisdom of this path. According to the International Labour Organization, despite inevitable job losses, the clean energy transition will create 18 million net new jobs by 2030. But we must recognize the human costs of decarbonization, and support workers with social protection, re-skilling and up-skilling so that the transition is just. Second, we need to align global finance with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s blueprint for a better future. It is time to put a price on carbon; end fossil fuel subsidies and finance; stop building new coal power plants; shift the tax burden from income to carbon, from taxpayers to polluters; make climate-related financial risk disclosures mandatory; and integrate the goal of carbon neutrality into all economic and fiscal decision- making. Banks must align their lending with the net zero objective, and asset owners and managers must decarbonize their portfolios. Third, we must secure a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience to help those already facing dire impacts of climate change. That’s not happening enough today: adaptation represents only 20 per cent of climate finance. This hinders our efforts to reduce disaster risk. It also isn’t smart; every $1 invested in adaptation measures could yield almost $4 in benefits. Adaptation and resilience are especially urgent for small island developing states, for which climate change is an existential threat. Next year gives us a wealth of opportunities to address our planetary emergencies, through major United Nations conferences and other efforts on biodiversity, oceans, transport, energy, cities and food systems. One of our best allies is nature itself: nature-based solutions could provide one-third of the net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Indigenous knowledge can help to point the way. And as humankind devises strategies for preserving the environment and building a green economy, we need more women decision-makers at the table. COVID and climate have brought us to a threshold. We cannot go back to the old normal of inequality and fragility; instead we must step towards a safer, more sustainable path. This is a complex policy test and an urgent moral test. With decisions today setting our course for decades to come, we must make pandemic recovery and climate action two sides of the same coin.

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Story

11 January 2021

Interactive TV series about HIV launched in Kyrgyzstan

A new television series for young people in the Kyrgyz language, School Elections, was launched online last week. During six 15–20-minute episodes, a girl, Ayana, who is living with HIV, tells her story of bullying, friendship and the fight for human dignity. The producers of the series hope that Ayana’s example will give hope to young people who face similar challenges. “We have a simple idea to promote: you may differ from others in your health, appearance or level of wealth. But regardless of this, we all deserve respect, friendship, love and happiness. This series is about kindness and acceptance of others as they are,” said Azim Azimov, Head of Production at the Media Kitchen production studio and the main screenwriter of the series. Starting on 6 November, new episodes will be aired weekly on YouTube and will also be broadcast on television, Instagram and the teens.kg youth project website. Additionally, each series has one to three interactive episodes—the leading actors invite the viewers to look at the problems raised in the series through the viewers’ eyes, experience each situation for themselves and make their own decisions. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 30% of students around the world experience various forms of bullying at the hands of their classmates. Students who are perceived as “different” are often subjected to bullying for reasons of appearance, health status, including HIV status, sexual orientation and gender identity, social status or the economic situation of the family. “This series tells people about the complex issue in simple and understandable language, to show how strong-willed and honest young people can overcome ignorance, indifference, cruelty and injustice, inspire others and change life for the better,” said Tigran Yepoyan, UNESCO Regional Adviser on HIV, Education and Health. “This series is a powerful new instrument for reducing stigma in our society, it not only shows the difficulties of living with HIV, discrimination and bullying but also motivates our adolescents not to be afraid to fight for dignity and justice and move forward towards their dreams,” said Meerim Sarybaeva, UNAIDS Country Director for Kyrgyzstan. The official soundtrack of the series, which was supported by the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and UNAIDS, was performed by the singer Ayim Ayilchieva.

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27 July 2022

UN Deputy Secretary-General: Amid challenges hope emerges in Central Asia

It’s your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Rumi I recently returned from an official visit to five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – where I saw first-hand concrete actions after 30 years of independence to meet the manifold challenges facing a region full of profound complexities and great potential. An international conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan focused on water for sustainable development formed a cornerstone of my visit. Water is a catalyst for peace and cooperation within the Central Asia region, and across borders with Afghanistan. The countries of Central Asia are harnessing water for green energy, climate-smart agriculture and improved access to drinking water. I witnessed their determination to advance the climate agenda with a strong commitment to multilateral solutions to enhance water resource management. The Aral Sea was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. Misplaced agricultural irrigation projects decades ago, coupled with rising temperatures, shrank the sea to just 10% of its original surface by the end of the 1990s. The Aral Sea climate catastrophe stretches far beyond national or regional lines. It is a global tragedy. The UN General Assembly declared the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovation and technologies, framing the region’s aspirations to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation as potential solutions for the world. Regional climate action is critical. Global warming is accelerating the melting of Central Asia’s glaciers, which play a vital role in the region’s water and ecosystem balance. The glaciers in Central Asia have receded by 25 percent in the last fifty years – with an equal amount expected to disappear in the next two decades. This is yet another reason for global action to urgently reduce emissions and meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. The Kyrgyz Republic has declared 2022 the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystems and Climate Resilience. I heard a clear commitment from the leaders of all five countries to do their part. The lack of financing is a serious obstacle to “greening” the region’s economies and conserving and restoring natural wealth, but ambition is notable. A greener economy combined with digitalization, will not only modernize the economies but also create new job opportunities in sectors that match global needs. It is also essential to rethink the region’s economic development pathway to make the most of the region’s demographic change. Central Asia is home to 76.5 million people, and that population is young – the median age is 27.6 years. I visited the University of Central Asia which provides the youth of the region opportunities not only to learn and grow intellectually, but also to establish the friendships and networks that will help advance regional growth and peace in the future. The youth I met throughout Central Asia shared with me their determination to shape their economies in productive ways – with emigration no longer having to be a default choice for many – and to have a seat at the table with their voices heard. I heard a similar message from women of all ages. They made a clear call for faster and far greater progress towards more equal and inclusive societies that ensure women’s economic empowerment, women’s rights and leadership. The global silent pandemic of gender-based violence, also presents a challenge which Central Asia must overcome including discriminatory practices, outdated societal norms, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes in an effort to achieve full gender equality. This is essential to realize the contribution of Central Asia’s women to the region’s societal and economic transformation. In particular, digitalization offers an important pathway for connectivity, transforming education, improved governance and expansion of economic opportunity and inclusion. With greater efforts for openness and reform, there is unlimited potential for Central Asian economies. As with societies everywhere, an essential ingredient for social and economic transformation is strengthening human rights. While I see the glass as “some full,” the United Nations is keen to work together and support the countries of Central Asia fill the rest. Human rights must be at the centre and in the outcomes of all investments in the people of the region. As we accompany the people of the region on this journey, the United Nations will continue to represent and amplify the voices of the marginalized and vulnerable and offer solutions to achieve equality, justice and inclusion, cornerstones for sustainable development and sustaining peace in the region. In a region where borders are new, consensus is urgently needed to overcome tensions around disputed lines, paving the way for sustainable peace and regional economic and social growth. Taking action to prevent the spread of violent extremism and mitigate the impacts for people and economies of the war in Ukraine will require meticulous attention and upholding the rule of law, including international human rights law. Despite the many challenges, I left Central Asia full of hope. Change is happening. Challenges are being grasped. It is led by the vibrant young majority of the population who aspire to protect and nurture the beauty of the region’s natural environment and usher in social and economic changes. All of this can help assure an inclusive and sustainable future for all the people of Central Asia.

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12 April 2022

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva, who has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva. She works as the head of the district statistics department in the Kara-Suu district of Osh province. She has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data. Shirin Tolubaeva came to work at the department of statistics back in 1982 after graduating from a technical school. She actively participated in organizing and conducting 4 Censuses in 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2022. Currently, Shirin Tolubaeva is coordinating the Census work in one of Kyrgyzstan's largest districts with a population of more than 450,000 people. There are currently 33 coordinators, 172 trainers and 1,706 enumerators in the area. During the pandemic, all enumerators were equipped with protective equipment with technical support from UNFPA. According to Shirin Tolubaeva, the Census is an opportunity to become involved in a big state event. “I have often had to explain to people why the Census is taking place in the first place: the state needs the information collected for a more accurate distribution of financial flows, to understand how to improve life in the country”, she said. Shirin Tolubaeva had a great responsibility on her fragile shoulders and despite all the difficulties and COVID-19, she continues to perform her duties responsibly and with great enthusiasm helps to collect data and information from the population, which will help the country to develop in the right direction. Learn more about UNFPA work in Kyrgyzstan.

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15 March 2022

A Perilous Plight: Connecting an isolated village in Southern Kyrgyzstan to the Internet

Zardaly, an isolated village up in the mountains in Southern Kyrgyzstan, is home to about 150 people who live without electricity and communication. A mountain trail is the only direct route to Zardaly and donkeys are the most reliable form of transport. According to Project Connect, of the 2,080 schools in Kyrgyzstan, 2,061 schools have already been connected, leaving only about 1% of schools still to be connected. Many of these schools are in harder-to-reach areas, like Zardaly, and other remote and mountainous villages, like Kyzyl-Oi and Enilchek. In the winter, connecting schools is almost impossible because the trail to Zardaly is blocked with snow. The lack of connectivity in Zardaly also discourages visitors. Guesthouses are often vacant and grandparents residing in Zardaly rarely see their grandchildren, who would prefer to be connected to the Internet during their visits. More urgently, in the event of a medical emergency, having an internet connection could assist with contacting officials to assess the weather conditions and determine if the road is open and safe to travel to the villages located in the lower valley. Alternatively, a doctor could be contacted for telehealth purposes. However, the lack of connectivity has not stripped the Zardaly residents of their creativity. In an effort to overcome the problem, several ingenious ideas have been put forward, including the Internet in a Box initiative – a device that stores a digital library that includes Khan Academy in Kyrgyz, thousands of video and audio lessons, e-books and Wikipedia in Kyrgyz, Russian and English. Not only is the Internet in a Box initiative tackling the issue of connectivity, but it is also helping to ensure that Kyrgyzstani cultural heritage is passed down as there are cartoons in Kyrgyz on the device as well, something not found too often elsewhere. Additionally, local residents have learnt to protect their devices from the harsh weather conditions in the region by using a plastic bottle to shield the live wires. While connecting schools in Zardaly is not an easy task, the surface has been scratched. Before the beginning of the pandemic, a team from the Kyrgyz Internet Society made a trip up to Zardaly, accompanied by a donkey. In order to charge the Internet in a Box and other electronic devices, they also took a large solar panel which they carefully carried up the trail. Connecting the last 1% of schools in Kyrgyzstan requires innovative technologies and financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. Towards this ambitious agenda, in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Giga launched a local competitive bidding process or Request for Proposals (RFP) for internet service providers to connect 13 of the hardest-to-reach schools in the country and extend the benefits of connectivity to the surrounding community. Connecting these schools, located in remote and mountainous regions, requires innovative technologies and ad-hoc network designs, as well as financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. The two RFPs launched by Giga in August and October 2021 in search for providers who could offer a sustainable solution to connect these remote schools were unsuccessful. Giga did not receive any proposals from the telecom industry in the country. Some providers argued that each of these schools would require a tailored design and strategy to connect them to the Internet, thus driving this effort non-profitable. Others argued that the timeframe set by Giga to connect them in three to four months was challenging due to the winter months. In the coming months, Giga, in collaboration with the Kyrgyz Internet Society, will develop a playbook of connectivity solutions and business models to test and provide internet to schools in these remote and mountainous regions. Written by Lamia Farah

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28 January 2022

“Maybe one day I will be a great doctor too” – refugee student dreams to open hospital in Kyrgyzstan

Malikha, a 24-year-old Afghan refugee, studies medicine at Osh State University. She has been living in Kyrgyzstan with her parents and siblings since 2009. While still in school Malikha grew interested in biology and anatomy, and later realized that she wants to become a doctor. But as Malikha’s father is seriously ill and her parents also need to provide for four other children, Malikha’s dream appeared completely out of reach. That was until Malikha contacted the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for advice and learnt about the DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme, which offers refugee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree. “When I learnt about the programme, I immediately started collecting documents and making other preparations to apply. I was very anxious because my whole future depended on this scholarship. It was my only hope to receive a good education,” says Malikha. After a competitive selection process Malikha was awarded a DAFI scholarship. Malikha cherishes the opportunity to study medicine and is determined to become a good professional: “I am very happy to get a chance to study, to realize myself in society. I know my parents and my whole family will be proud of me.” In her free time Malikha reads books about medicine and the biographies of famous doctors, dreaming that one day she herself may become a great doctor too. In future she would like to open a hospital in Kyrgyzstan, to help poor people who cannot afford high quality medical assistance. "DAFI gives us refugees opportunities and hopes for future. I hope one day we will be able to help other young people who need support and want to change this world for the better.” Education helps people forced to flee build better futures. It also enables refugees to develop professional skills and knowledge that they can use for the benefit of their host community. But globally just 3% of refugees are currently enrolled in higher education. UNHCR works together with partners, including the DAFI programme, to provide displaced children access to quality education so they can pursue better lives. Through the dedicated support of the governments of Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, UNHCR and private donors, the DAFI programme has supported over 18,000 young refugees globally to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. Malikha is one of 83 refugee youths in Kyrgyzstan who have yet benefitted from DAFI scholarships since 1997.

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Malikha, Afghan refugee, studies at medical university in Kyrgyzstan thanks to DAFI scholarship

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30 March 2022

The Iron Horse: Improving animal and human health in Kyrgyzstan

Dr Maksat Usupbaeva zooms up the steep, winding roads of Kyrgyzstan’s Barskoon district on her motorcycle. She is one of a rising generation of veterinarians confidently riding “iron horses”, as they like to call them, to isolated rural communities. In Kyrgyzstan, a country where over half of all land area is pastureland, herding cows and other livestock is central to the national economy, society and culture. But the nation has long lacked enough trained veterinarians to care for all these animals, and crossing Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous, sparsely populated landscapes to reach the herding communities who need their services remains a challenge. As a result, one of the biggest challenges herders face relates to the health of their animals. Serious illnesses are common in their herds, such as brucellosis, a bacterial infection that humans can also contract. This, combined with the other challenges common to the sector – degraded pasturelands, disputes over land rights – has kept the productivity of Kyrgyzstan’s livestock sector low and its value chains underdeveloped. Many herders (and their animals) thus find themselves facing constant poverty and repeated threats to their health. Since 2012, however, IFAD has invested over US$70 million through the LMDP project, implemented by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, and its successor LMDP-II. Together, these projects are helping 2.6 million of the nation’s rural-dwellers build a stronger pastoral economy. Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call. Investing in health and wealth An important part of this support has been investing in the capacity of private veterinarians and engaging them in the provision of veterinary services, in partnership with the public sector. In 2018, the Government of Kyrgyzstan embedded privatized veterinary services into a revised legal framework. This model is now being implemented systematically across the country, with the support of IFAD. The motorcycle initiative is a key part of this model. Dr Usupbaeva is the recipient of one of nearly 630 motorcycles provided to veterinarians by IFAD. Light, fast and easily manoeuvrable on narrow, winding roads, motorcycles are proving to be a cost-effective way to traverse Kyrgyzstan’s mountain passages. The model also promotes the training of new veterinarians. To date, over 100 students have been awarded scholarships to study veterinary science at the Kyrgyzstan National Agrarian University under the LMPD and LMPD-II. As a result of the cooperation between IFAD and the Kyrgyz Government, the number of veterinarians has almost doubled, from 1,500 in 2013 to 2,600 in 2018. For these young graduates, being a veterinarian is more than just a job. It’s a chance to start a professional career in their home villages, and to contribute to the development of their communities and the well-being of their inhabitants. Such is the case for Dr Anarbek uulu Musabek, a 23-year-old resident of Birlesken village. His father died early in Dr uulu Musabek’s childhood, leaving his mother to care for him and his five siblings. But thanks to the scholarship he received through LMPD-II, he now has a way to build a livelihood in his home region and support his family. Dr Usupbaeva consults with a farmer. Trained veterinarians usher in change Traveling veterinarians are already making a difference. Most recently, they’ve been helping the government conduct a vaccination programme to control echinococcosis, a parasitic disease that mainly affects sheep and dogs but can also infect humans. These efforts build on a previous IFAD-funded project in which veterinarians were deployed to control brucellosis through training and vaccination drives. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, these IFAD-supported campaigns are already bearing fruit. The number of cases of brucellosis in humans has dropped – from 4,412 cases per year in 2011 to less than 500 in 2020 – and the incidence of echinococcosis in humans is decreasing, too. And with improved access to veterinary care, animals are healthier – and more productive. Sales of products like milk and meat are up, and herders are benefiting from increased incomes. One study, for example, found that small herding households are now eating more meals a day, have better sanitation and drinking water, own more assets such as vehicles and household appliances, and make greater use of agricultural equipment. Visible improvements have also taken place in roads and other infrastructure, permitting access to more distant pastures. These and other IFAD-funded initiatives in Kyrgyzstan have revolutionized the way these families – and everyone who supports them, including their veterinarians – carry out their work. As Dr Usupbaeva says, “Our work has become easier thanks to the support received from IFAD.” Learn more about IFAD’s work in Kyrgyzstan.

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Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call.

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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 *** 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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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

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.

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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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