Tajikistan
Overview
Tajikistan is a mountainous country bordered by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. It declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 but was mired in civil war for most of the 1990s, emerging as the poorest country in Central Asia. While it continues to be plagued by poverty, with an estimated 20% of the population living on less than US$1.25 a day, it has an astonishing literacy rate of 98%.
Tajikistan is primarily a secular Islamic state, with more than 80% of its population practicing Muslims. But there is a long history to the Jewish community in this country. Bukharan Jews have lived in Tajikistan since the 2nd century BCE. In fact, but with more than 10,000 making aliyah (immigrating) to Israel during the late 1980s and the 1990s, there is only a small Jewish population left in the country.
Need
With the majority of this small community poor and elderly, there is an enormous need for basic services such as food, medicine, and winter relief. Because the community has fewer than 1,000 members, it is not able to adequately provide for its at-risk members’ basic needs. Support in creating and strengthening Jewish communal life is also an important issue.
Response
The critical needs of the poor and elderly in this community are supported by JDC through welfare programs in the capital city of Dushanbe. JDC works with local leaders to create a shared Jewish experience within the community. It does this by providing Jewish resource materials and training opportunities. JDC’s efforts include:
- Delivery of nutritious meals and basic health care assistance to elderly Jews
- Food and other assistance to celebrate Jewish holidays like Passover, when JDC volunteers provide chicken and matzah for every family in this small Jewish community
Impact
The Hesed in Dushanbe provides services to more than 80 elderly and 11 children at risk in 4 cities.
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