Turkmenistan

Overview
Turkmenistan is a landlocked Central Asian country bordered by Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. While much of its land is covered by the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan is rich in natural resources such as natural gas and oil. In spite of these resources, there is significant poverty and unemployment, with half of the population estimated to live below the poverty line. Turkmenistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Most of the Jewish community made aliyah to Israel after the fall of communism, leaving behind a very small community of about 750 Jews–most of whom live in the capital, Ashkhabad.

Need
Since both the Jewish and general populations are destitute, the elderly members of the Jewish community rely on JDC support to meet their basic needs. Because of the very small size of the community, there is also a need to help create a sense of Jewish identity.

Response
JDC’s primary work in Turkmenistan consists of providing food support to the elderly Jews of the community. It also helps the country’s remaining Jews maintain and expand their Jewish experience. JDC’s efforts include:

• Coordination of welfare services through a network of volunteers who deliver critically needed food packages to elderly Jews several times a year
• Training for a small number of Jews to help them foster a stronger Jewish identity despite the community’s size

Impact
The main Hesed in Ashkhabad provides social welfare services to one child and a total of 140 elderly living in five different communities.

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