In a stride towards addressing food security challenges in Tajikistan, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) formalized their commitment through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan reported. The signing ceremony, held in Dushanbe, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaboration between Tajikistan and WFP.
The bilateral document was signed by Sirojiddin Muhriddin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Adham Musallam, the Representative of the World Food Programme in Tajikistan. The MoU solidifies the mutual commitment of the parties to implement the WFP Country Strategic Plan for 2023-2026, aiming to regulate cooperation among relevant stakeholders involved in the Plan's execution.
During the ceremony, both parties conducted a thorough evaluation of the current state of cooperation between Tajikistan and WFP. They also engaged in discussions regarding future prospects and potential avenues for enhanced collaboration.
The World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian organization, operates with the mission of saving lives in emergencies and utilizing food assistance to pave the way for peace, stability, and prosperity. Operating in over 120 countries, WFP addresses the impacts of conflict, disasters, climate change, and global crises, striving to eliminate hunger globally.
Tajikistan's Food Security Challenges
Tajikistan, a landlocked country with a population of 9.1 mn, faces persistent food security challenges. Despite a decade-long reduction in malnutrition rates, they remain the highest in Central Asia. The nation is particularly vulnerable to climate shocks, experiencing soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather events that impact land, crops, and livelihoods.
With 93% of the country covered by mountains and only 7% as arable land, Tajikistan grapples with soil degradation affecting 97% of its cultivable land. This situation necessitates the importation of half of Tajikistan's food, leading to fluctuations in food prices that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations.
WFP has been a steadfast presence in Tajikistan since 1993, initially launching an emergency operation during the Civil War. Over time, its focus has shifted towards three longer-term objectives: prioritizing food security and nutrition in national strategies, enhancing the government's capacity to implement sustainable hunger solutions, and supporting communities to build resilience against shocks.
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