UN appeal already 50 percent funded

The United Nations in Tajikistan has already received 50 percent of the money required for its annual appeal for the mountainous former Soviet republic. "To date, exactly half has been funded, US $28.5 million and that's almost all cash. We're doing well," William Paton, UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, told IRIN in the capital, Dushanbe on Monday. The UN, together with the government of Tajikistan, launched the Appeal for Tajikistan 2005 in Brussels on 20 January this year. This 'development appeal' outlines the joint UN strategy for 2005 to 2009. It presents 18 projects to be carried out by individual UN Agencies and 11 joint projects in priority areas for a total of close to $ 57 million. The appeal reflects a move away from humanitarian assistance to longer term support for sustainable development. "The level of aid to Tajikistan has been maintained. Tajikistan has been making sufficient reforms in key areas like health and education to encourage donors to remain committed to the country," Paton added. Donor nations have seen the government in Dushanbe putting a healthy percentage of the national budget into poverty alleviation and this has helped maintain interest in the country, the UN said. Eight years after a bitterly fought civil war, Tajikistan remains blighted by problems. Despite a recent, slight, economic recovery, Tajikistan still has the lowest per capita income of the former Soviet republics. The general income of the population is below $10 per month and the official unemployment rate is 46.7 percent. About 86 percent of the population still cannot even meet their own basic needs. The 2005 appeal emphasises activities aimed at increasing local economic capacity, improving service provision in the public sector and support for democratic reform and stability. Humanitarian needs are also taken into account, with the aim to improve food supply security, nutrition, health, drinking water and disaster risk management. The aim is to achieve real improvements through joint implementation, monitoring and effective coordination, according to the UN. Tajikistan is continuing to rely heavily on assistance provided by international organisations. The country cannot in the short term overcome problems in the fields of health, education or food security and cannot provide access to clean water. Pensions are low, averaging just $ 5 per month. Paton identified reducing corruption as a key area the government is committed to tackling. "Top government officials this week will stand in front of donors and outline strategies to combat things like corruption, so this is a good partnership for the future," he said.