Eng - UNDP in Tajikistan

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE
Multilateral
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Contact: Ms. Yukie Mokuo
Representative
Tel: 701-14-89/90/91 Fax: 701-14-95/96
E-mail: dushanbe@unicef.org
Website: www.unicef.org/tajikistan
Organization Profile
UNICEF was first known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and in 1953 it became permanent member of the
United Nations. UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s and women’s
rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. The organization is guided by the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and strives to
establish children's rights as enduring ethical principals and international standards of behavior towards children. In Tajikistan, UNICEF
began to work in 1993, shortly after the independence of the Republic. Now UNICEF is in its third country programme cycle of cooperation
in Tajikistan.
UNICEF Tajikistan is mandated to share its rich global experiences in the area of children and women’s rights realization with the countries
in which it has offices based on their national and local situation analysis and priorities within the framework of international commitments
for children and women. In Tajikistan, as a country which has gained its independence recently and is going through a transitional period,
while also addressing the devastation caused by several years of conflict and the constant challenges of natural disasters - UNICEF has been
committed to work with the Government, other UN agencies, IFIs (International Financial Institution), INGOs (International Non
Governmental Organization) and NGOs to enhance capacities to address key issues for children and women in this regard. In health, UNICEF
is consistently working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to move towards a reduction in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR),
the Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) as a priority. In education, UNICEF works very closely
with the Ministry of Education to improve access to and quality of education through various mechanisms at the national and local level with
a focus on girls’ education and other disadvantaged groups. In Young People’s Health and Participation, UNICEF works hand in hand with
the government and other partners to address the challenges of tapping into the full potential of Tajikistan’s large youth population especially
with regards to the risks of HIV and AIDs. In the Social Policy Reform and Child Protection program, UNICEF works closely with the NCCR
(National Commission on Child Rights) and other partners to address the very sensitive issues of child protection including institutionalized
children, children with disability, violence against children and juvenile justice. As based within the framework of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC), children’s rights can only be realized through a holistic and multi-sectoral approach which is the approach of
UNICEF’s office in Tajikistan with its partners.
UNICEF Tajikistan closely co-operates with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Ministry of
Justice, National Commission on Child Protection, State Committee on Statistics, local governments, donor agencies, other UN organizations
and NGOs.
Past and Current Programmes
1995-1999 programme cycle more focused on emergency response in the fields of health, education, water and sanitation and nutrition
through capacity building and support service delivery. There were 5 projects and the total funds utilized for 5 years were USD9,000,000.
2000-2004 programme cycle aimed to reduce infant and maternal mortality and the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies; to improve
children’s learning environments; to increase school attendance and reduce drop-out rates; to promote a child protection system; and to raise
awareness among young people on HIV and AIDs and healthy lifestyles. There were 3 programmes : 1. Mother and Child Survival,
Development and Protection, 2.Child Enrichment, 3.Young People Well-being and total funds utilized for 5 years: $18,835,000.
The new programme 2005-2009 focuses on key issues which were identified in the context of the UNDAF and national priorities and are
based on the comparative advantages of UNICEF grounded in national and local experience; international commitments such as MDGs, the
PRSP, the priorities of the government and those of the UNICEF (MTSP).
The new programme cycle has 4 programmes: 1. Maternal and Child Care Programme, 2. Quality Basic Education for All, 3. Young People’s
Health and Participation, 4. Social Policy Reform and Child Protection.
1. Maternal and Child Care Programme
Tajikistan still experiences high child and maternal morbidity and mortality. According to UNICEF MICS (Multiple Indicator Clustor
Survey) 2005, the Under FIve Child Mortality rate (U5MR) in Tajikistan is 92 per 1,000. Although this is lower as compared to the MICS
2000 data (126 per 1,000), U5MR in Tajikistan stays very high. The UNICEF State of the World Children Report 2005 estimates that the
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) as 100 per 100,000 live births. Lessons learned from the previous country programme show that
interventions require a greater emphasis on a holistic approach to early childhood development which includes all sectors incorporating
education, community, parents and health for children below 3 years, in addition improving the quality and access to maternal and child
health care services and immunization services. By empowering the caregivers of such children with effective knowledge and skills, much
more can be achieved in providing a good start in life for all children. The programme will address the basic causes of high mortality and poor
Source: Aid Coordination and Project Monitoring System Database
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