This document provides an overview of Habitat for Humanity's work in Tajikistan. It discusses the country's geography, demographics, history, and challenges with poverty housing. It then summarizes Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan's key projects and accomplishments in building over 1,000 homes, providing water and sanitation access, disaster response, job training, and community development since 1999. Specific multi-year projects improving housing in Khujand, Asht, and other regions are highlighted.

1. Cover
Welcome Orientation
Decent Housing for Strong
Communities
Habitat for Humanity - Tajikistan
Dushanbe, Tajikistan www. habitat.tj
© Copyright Notation

2. Map of the country
Tajikistan: State Border
In the North with
Kyrgyzstan
In the West with
Uzbekistan
In the East with
China
In the South with
Afghanistan

3. Country Facts
Country Facts
 Official name: Republic of Tajikistan
 Area: 143,100 sq km (88918.21 sq miles)
 Population: 7 349 145 (Jul 2009 estimate)
 Official lang. : Tajik
 Political structure: Unitary presidential
republic
 Territorial structure: has 4 regions
Tajik state emblem and flag

4. Official Definition of the flag
Official definition of the color of Tajik
Flag
The red represents the unity of the nation and the symbol of the sun and
victory.
 white represents purity, cotton, the snow on the mountains and the unity
The
of the people.
The green stands for the spiritual meaning of Islam and represents the
generosity of nature of the country.
The crown represents the Tajik people and means “crowned”. According to
Tajik Legend, Islamic Heaven is composed of seven beautiful orchids, separated
by seven mountains each with a glowing Star

5. Religion
Religion
Tajikistan is a Muslim country
Religion: Muslims – 90% (Sunni and Ismaili Shiites),
Christians - 6% , other – 4%
Arabs brought Islam in the 7th century CE
Religious center: Dushanbe and Khujand
Shaikh – Muslihiddin Mosque in
Khuajand

6. Historical Information
Historical information
Tajiks has history of more than 2700 years
 first Tajik nation was founded in 875 C.E. by Ismoli
The
Somoni Empire
 1929 Tajik Soviet Republic (TJK USSR) was established as
In
a part of USSR countries. Tajik Mountains
Tajikistan declared its independence in 1991 after collapse
of Soviet Union
Immediately after independence, Tajikistan was plunged
into a civil war in which up to 50 000 people were killed and
over one tenth of population fled the country. Civil war
ended in 1997 with a United Nation brokered Peace
Agreement.
Tajik warrior during civil war

7. Geography
Geography
Tajikistan is divided into 4 administrative divisions: Sugd (north), Khatlon
(south), Gorno Badakhshan /Pamirs (east) and Region of Republican
Subordination (south)
Mountains cover 93 percent of Tajikistan’s surface area. The second highest
pick of the world (7954 meter) – Somoni in Pamirs is situated in Tajikistan
There are over 900 rivers in Tajikistan. The longest rivers are Amu Darya/Panj –
2415 km (1500 mi) (in South) and Syr Darya – 2145 km (1330 mi)(in North)
About 1% of the country’s area is covered by lakes. The greatest lake is Kara Kul
– 380 km2 (612 sq mi) and deepest is Sarez (more than 310 feet ) are located in
East of the country.

8. Dushanbe
Dushanbe is the capital
Area - 38.6 sq mi (100 sq km), population –
700000, elevation - 706 m (2,316 ft), climate -
continental and subtropical
Dushanbe is commercial, cultural, scientific and
industrial center of Tajikistan. It is the largest city of Coat of Arms of Dushanbe
Tajikistan
Dushanbe produces silk, machinery, electrical
appliances, clothing, leather goods, tractor parts,
and foodstuffs. Home to a number of modern
telecommunications, aeronautic and other business
corporations.
Rudaki Park

10. Supplemental Information Cover
Supplemental Information
Transportation
Accommodation
Meals
Cultural sensitivity - “what is ok to do and not to do”
Security information
Emergency contacts

11. Transportation
Transportation
Taxis can be found in prominent places as
near markets, hotels, restaurants and other
places
Most commonly used transport is
minibuses “mashrutka”. The cost for
“mashrutka” is 1 TJS (somoni) (0.20 cent)
Buses mostly can be found in the cities.
Slow and stuffy. You pay when you get in,
costs 1.60 dirams (0.32 cent).

12. Accommodation
Accommodation
Team is accommodated in “Izzat” Hotel located Hotel in Kumsangir Project Area
in the center of Kumsangir district.
Hotel Room in Kumsangir

13. Meals
Meal
GV tam is having lunch in the jobsite and dinner in the restaurant
 Breakfast and dinner will be in restaurant,
lunch will be catered to the jobsite by
coordinator or driver
 Always use bottled water. Tap water is NOT
DRINKABLE
 Sometimes the families will share food with
you in the jobsite and perhaps you will have
lunch with them in their houses
 Always use your personal water bottles

14. Project and work sites
Cultural Sensitivity - ”what is OK TO DO and NOT TO DO
Bread - is considered to have a life of its own. It must
be treated with respect. Never put flat bread (non) face
down, never let bread (or breadcrumbs) fall to the
ground, and don't throw it out with ordinary
rubbish/trash
You will be treated with a lot food when you are in
guests. Know that although you are not hungry the host
brings a lot of food and tries to get you eat it. This is the
part of customs and tradition. Host tries to show his/her
respect towards guest by offering everything which they
have.
 not be surprised if the women in the partner family
Do
is not involved in construction work. Mainly they are
busy with maintenance of their homes, cooking,
cleaning and looking after their little kids.

15. Project and work sites
Cultural Sensitivity - ”what is OK TO DO and NOT TO DO
 Men usually only shake hands with other men and
sometimes hug. For women it is not obligatory to shake hand
of men, just saying “Hi” is OK. Intimate contact (hugging,
kissing) with the opposite sex in public is culturally
unacceptable - even between you and your spouse or a good
friend, it can be misunderstood
 Clothing – Your clothing should be durable, simple, and not
of sentimental value to you. It is specifically requested that
none of the men wear shorts that fall ABOVE the knee and
that women do not wear shorts at all in the jobsite.
European clothing is acceptable in the city. Long trousers
and T-shirts are the only option for the work site construction
worksite. Best thing to wear on these mission trips is hospital
scrubs.

16. Transportation
Security information
Buddy system - don’t go out alone, especially at
night
Always have with you emergency contact
information
Personal items/laptops can be left in
accommodation but not money & jewelry
 the streets, bazaars and shops be careful –
In
pickpockets.
Avoid to use taxi service on your own, use only
official taxi provider companies recommended in
“Personal Security Cards”

17. Transportation
Emergency contacts
 Host Coordinator – Farhod, phone numbers: +992 93 514 5069, +992 907 767 8090
GV
Back up emergency numbers - HR Administrator - Alinazar: +992 93 505 1535, National
Director – Samira: +992 93 505 6913
International call: 00+country code + area code
Medex Emergency Contact
(FOR VOLUNTEERS COMING FROM USA AND SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EXCEPT
FROM UK AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND)
Tel: +1-800-527-0218
from the UK - +44-1-273-223000
Masterpolicy Emergency Contact
(FOR VOLUNTEERS COMING FROM GREAT BRITAIN, NOTHERN IRELAND, AND
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND)
ACE European Group
ACE Assistance
Tel: outside of UK +44-870-606-1406
from UK: 0870-606-1406
TELEX 947736 EURA G

18. POVERTY HOUSING
 Lack of housing - Due to the civil war and economic collapse
the state construction program was stopped. Overcrowded
housing = invisible homelessness
 Vulnerability of housing - country is prone to various natural
disasters: between 2000 and 2009, at least 2,000 people were
affected by disasters each year. Damage caused by disasters
was between $22 and $70 million per year. Since the beginning
of 2010, 4,104 houses were damaged, of which 683 were fully
destroyed by spring floods.
 Unaffordable housing - Building costs increase due to import
of building materials and housing is becoming beyond the
reach of the majority of the population.
 Water and sanitation - Only 58% of 7,000,000 population in
Tajikistan has access to improved water. Of 699 centralized
systems of water supply available nationally, 16% do not
function and 51% do not meet basic requirements.

19. HIGHLIGHTS
 are actively working in three regions of Tajikistan since 1999.
We
 far more than 1,000 homes have been built, renovated and repaired to help more than 7,800
So
people to have decent place to live.
Around of 2,500 families provided with access to clean, safe drinking water.
HFH Tajikistan is among 5 HFHI/ECA focus program countries.

20. WHAT WE DO
New house construction, repairs and renovations.
Disaster Response and Preparedness – green housing, innovative
technologies for safe housing.
Water & Sanitation – Water Filters
Housing finance – partnership with microfinance institutions
Habitat Resource Center/Building Training Center – capacity
development and material production

22. DISASTER RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS
 Fact: July 2007 earthquake damaged 19 villages, killed 3 children, completely destroyed 293
houses and severely damaged 1,100 houses, 6 schools, 5 teahouses, 4 libraries and 1 youth center.
 Project Location: Rasht and Kumsangir districts
 Type of Houses: Anti-seismic houses built and reinforced using locally available and sustainable
materials- wood, clay, straw and mulberry branches
 So far 159 new homes built and more than 300 homes reinforced in most vulnerable areas.
 Environmentally sustainable, low-cost, innovative local solution for safe house construction for
rural Tajikistan: “sinj technology” and “mulberry” house reinforcement technology.
 The technology has been adopted and included in official building code as a norm for rural house
construction.
 Partnership established with Institute of Seismology and HFHT is a REACT member. Partners:
Oxfam, UNDRMP, Caritas, Global Partners, Acted, UNISDR, UNWFP, etc.

23. IMPROVED DRINKING WATER
 Fact: 51.1% of Tajik population contracts one or more water-borne diseases
every year
 Project Location: Kumsangir and Konibodom districts
 Project Partners: Micro Finance Institution “Arvand”.
 The filter is sustainable, requires no chemicals or electricity, is low tech and
can be produced with locally available materials. The filter eliminates over
90% of water-borne diseases and parasites and produces up to 60 liters of
clean water per hour
 We’ve produced 1,700 filters and built 42 reservoirs, and served more than
2,500 families. So, over 14,000 people now have improved drinking water.

24. BUILDING AND TRAINING CENTRE
 Habitat Tajikistan in partnership with CIDA (Canadian International
Development Agency) and HFH Canada launched its first Building Training
Center (BTC) in Asht, Tajikistan on May 4, 2009.
 Produce of alternative and cost-effective products
 Function as training centre for unemployed and unskilled women and men
 Train the population in earthquake-prone zones on locally affordable and
applicable anti-seismic construction practices
 Provide affordable micro-finance housing loans to low-income and
earthquake affected families to enable them to repair/reconstruct their homes.

25. BUILDING AND TRAINING CENTRE
 Production: 5000 aerated concrete blocks; 350 school furniture(desks and
chairs), 360 school uniforms produced.
 Vocational Education: Over 500 unemployed and unskilled individuals
graduated welding, carpentry, general construction, electrician and
sewing courses and 70% get employed after graduation.
 Disaster Preparedness: So far almost of 1,000 people trained in
earthquake-prone zones on locally affordable and applicable earthquake
safer construction practices.
 All BTC graduated students educated on HIV/AIDS prevention through
seminars provided in collaboration with UNFPA/YPEER.

26. WINTERIZATION OF HOMES
 Fact: July 2006 earthquake measured at 5.5 Richter
scale damaged 1,484 houses and made 15,000 people
homeless.
 Winter temperature in 2007 reached -22 C and
people suffered from lack of proper house insulation,
doors and windows.
 Project Location: Kumsangir
 Project goal: to provide families with doors,
windows and train them on safe construction
techniques using locally available resources
 We’ve hosted 2 Global Village teams in
winterization project
 So far we’ve winterized 300 houses in Kumsangir
district
 More than 1000 individuals trained on safe
construction techniques

27. BUILDING A COMMUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN KHUJAND
 Fact: The people cannot afford to build homes due to high construction costs; current housing
stock is deteriorating because of neglect and lack of funding from the government.
 Project Location: Khujand, Tajikistan
 Number of GV team hosted: 5
 So far we’ve built 30 houses

28. ASHT HOME REPAIR PROJECT
 Fact: Around 30% of the households in Asht district, (i.e.700 homes) have 2-3 families living
under one roof Project Location: Khujand, Tajikistan
 Almost 50 % of the young families living in overcrowded, substandard housing have plots of
land with unfinished homes given to them during Soviet times; they just do not have enough
income/recourses to complete them
 Project goal: Renovate and complete 150 houses for/with low-income families by providing
construction materials through affordable housing loans, technical support and training
families in basic construction skills
 So far 70 individuals, members of partner families, have gained basic construction skills and
knowledge and 70 half-completed houses renovated

29. HABITAT VILLAGE
 Project start: 2000
 Partners: Local Government and Shelter for Life International
 Almost 100 houses built for low income families
 In September 30, 2005 the Habitat 100th house in Tajikistan was dedicated in Habitat
village, Khujand

30. KHUJAND STATE UNIVERSITY PROJECT
 Fact: Khujand State University (KSU) is one of the biggest
universities in Tajikistan, with more than 12 000 students
studying in 15 faculties
 The university is suffering from the severe “brain drain” – the
loss of the qualified professors and teaching staff seeking
opportunities outside Tajikistan. Over the last 14 years, due to
low salaries and inadequate housing, nearly 400 staff have left
the university.
 Project goal: to stem the tide of professor migration by
renovating university dormitory and thereby increase
educational opportunities for thousands more students over
the coming decades
 Directly 52 faculty members and their families, or 270 people,
have benefited from this partnership.
 HFH-Tajikistan won HFHI/ECA Standard of Excellence Award
for partnership development/ HFHT-University project.

31. HOUSING FINANCE/MFI PARTNERSHIP
Construction technical assistance with Micro Lending Organization “IMON International”
 “IMON” provides housing improvement loan of $100 - $2800 USD HFHT provides
Construction Technical Assistance (CTA) to target group
 CTA service include: home survey, development of estimation and construction schedule,
recommendation to family and monitoring of construction.
 The pilot project target area: Sughd and Khatlon oblasts
 Starting from March 2011 project served 500 families. It is planned to serve 500 more families
in 2011.

32. HABITAT TAJIKISTAN TITHE PARTNERSHIPS
 Habitat Tajikistan has been working with US Habitat affiliates
(tithing partners) and individual donors since 2005
 We raised almost of 700K donations from US Habitat affiliates and
individual donors
 Habitat Tajikistan has around 15 live tithing partners and 10
monthly individual donors. We work with each partner and donor
individually providing comprehensive information for their every
donated dollar

33. THE NEED AND HOW US HABITAT AFFILIATES CAN HELP
 Habitat Tajikistan needs more tithing partners because there is only a few opportunities of getting
local/corporate funds and it is hard for GV teams to reach our country.
 Tithes and individual donations are major source of income for Habitat Tajikistan and there is a huge need
for US Habitat affiliates’ and individual donor’s support in Tajikistan
 Affiliates can help through:
 Send tithes
 Come on a GV trip
 Fundraise for Habitat Tajikistan (Tajik dinner, awareness, designated project promotion)
 What your tithes and donations can buy
 $85 USD provides a family in Tajikistan with a water filter and improves the family's health by
reducing the chance of water-borne diseases
 $1,988 USD helps a low-income family in Asht complete their half-built house
 $1,656 USD provides a family in Tajikistan with doors, windows and proper insulation for their house
to help cope with cold winters

34. WHAT CAN WE OFFER TO AFFILIATES
 Promptly acknowledgment of all gifts
 Full and comprehensive information of our work and the families that we
serve
 Photos, family stories and any other information that they require
 Send quarterly updates
 House/family sponsorship
 Tailor made GV trip

35. Your support helps families in Tajikistan to have safe
home, peace in heart and brighter future.
Thank You!!!