The Government of Japan has provided a total of US$205,407 for two development projects in Fayzobod and Vahdat districts. Both projects have successfully completed in cooperation with local government in Fayzobod district and the public organization Sayor with the support of local government of Vahdat district and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

On 28 April 2012, Mr. Hiroyuki Imahashi, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Tajikistan and Mr. Abdullo Hakimov, Chairperson of Fayzobod district will attend a handover ceremony at the Central Hospital in Fayzobod district.

The Government of Japan provided grant assistance amounting to US$111,352 for “The Project for Rehabilitation of Central Hospital in Fayzobod District” in the framework of Grant Assistance for the Grass–roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Due to lack of renovation, there were many big holes in the roofs with asbestos and water leaks from ceilings have worsened the quality of medical service of the hospital. Old wooden doors prevented the hospital from provision of proper heating system. Also, some patients had to go to hospitals in other districts to get appropriate treatment because medical devices for surgeries were outdated.

The roof of the central hospital was totally renovated and some doors and windows of the main building are renewed through the project. New medical devices, such as a hot air sterilizer, an anesthesia apparatus, a surgical suction pump, an antibacterial lamp and a lung ventilator were provided to the hospital. Safe environment created by the project will enable the hospital to provide quality medical service.

On the same day, Mr. Hiroyuki Imahashi, Ms. Gavhar Khojaeva and Head of Public Organization Sayor will attend a handover ceremony of “The Project for Construction of Women’s center in Vahdat District” at the women’s center in Vahdat district. Facilitated through its GGP programme, the Government of Japan extended US$ 94,055 grant assistance for this project.

Economic and social problems especially in relation to widows and women from relatively poor families have been serious concerns of people in Tajikistan. Nonetheless, social care for those women was insufficient due to lack of budget and there was no women’s center for supporting those who were in need in Vahdat district. In order to tackle this problem, Sayor has actively worked in Vahdat district since 2004 but there was no space to implement its activities.

The project covered construction of a new two-story building which will be used as a women’s center and provision of equipment such as computers, a printer and a scanner.

Over 560 women who live in Vahdat district will be empowered by vocational training courses of information technology, sewing, English and Russian language courses in the center. Also, 130,000 women who have faced difficulties in their family or working places will be able to receive legal consultation and counseling at the center. It is expected that the project will improve psychological, financial and legal well-being of women and their families in Vahdat district.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/ medical institutions and International NGOs in developing countries. GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.

GGP has extended more than US$ 21,1 million for 282 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan.