The amount of humanitarian aid to Tajikistan has decreased

In the first three months, Tajikistan received 10,300 tons of humanitarian aid worth $19.2 million. In monetary terms, this is 2.7 times less than in the same period last year, and by weight, it is 2.1 times less.

The number of donor countries has also decreased from 44 to 35 countries.

In the first quarter of 2023, humanitarian aid came to Tajikistan from China (26.2% of the total volume), Belgium (17.8%), the USA (15.8%), Kazakhstan (8.6%), Russia (7.9%), Turkey (5.6%), India (2.9%), Uzbekistan (2.6%), Denmark (2.3%), Germany (2%), and several other countries.

It is reported that in 2022, Tajikistan received an unprecedented amount of humanitarian aid, with a total value of about $141 million. The smallest amount was received in 2015, when the country received aid worth $44.8 million.

The authorities do not provide the public with information about the distribution of humanitarian aid. Experts believe that in most cases, humanitarian aid is embezzled by officials and sold in the markets of the country. Sometimes a portion of the humanitarian aid is given to the needy in the name of the president.

Recently, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia distributed food baskets to those in need in Tajikistan as part of the “Food Basket” project. To prevent theft, all boxes and bags were labeled: “Distributed for free, not for sale.”