Energy poverty in Tajikistan, a heavy burden in the midst of a global crisis

The Covid-19 pandemic has not spared Tajikistan in the last few months, even though it was one of the last Central Asian countries to report its first cases. With borders closed since early March 2020 and the first official cases reported on 1 May, Tajikistan is under both health and economic stress.

This unprecedented situation led Geres this summer to mount an exceptional operation extending over three months to reduce the energy poverty of vulnerable households seriously affected by the Covid crisis. This is a continuation of our energy efficiency project aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable Tajik households.

In view of the urgency, the Abbé Pierre Foundation, an existing partner in the project, generously agreed to provide us with a dedicated fund to carry out this operation.

Find out more about the Geres project: Energy efficiency to improve living conditions in Tajikistan.

The operation’s primary aim is to help improve the living conditions and food security of poor households in rural areas as they emerge from the crisis.

To optimize aid delivery, the teams concentrated on six villages around the capital Dushanbe where Geres is already working.

100 families, a total of 650 beneficiaries, will be able to access significant assistance

In what way? Through a Covid-19 awareness campaign for the population of the target neighbourhoods and villages and support for those families whose vulnerability has increased, in the form of a lowering of their energy bills and provision of additional income to make it easier for them to meet their basic needs (education, health, food).

Thanks to small-scale energy renovation work carried out by some thirty artisans and the assistance of the local authorities, the families will be able to reduce their fuel bills by at least 30% during the winter season.

To help the 100 vulnerable families cover their basic needs, Geres has also joined in a Cash for Work scheme, which will provide them with the equivalent of 40% additional monthly income during the operation.

In total, the operation involves:

• 100 energy audits carried out by the Geres Tajikistan team
• 12 training sessions organized for households
• 200 participants trained in renovation techniques
• 30 artisans in temporary employment
• 100 renovations undertaken and 1000 Covid-19 awareness booklets delivered
• A field impact study conducted with 20 representative households

Huge congratulations to the Geres Tajikistan team and partners for this splendid effort and we look forward to hearing the results on 31 October!