Country Information
Founded: 1924
Independence (from Soviet control): 1991
Land Area: 143,100 Square Kilometers (slightly smaller than Wisconsin)
Climate: hot summers, mild winters, semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Agricultural Land Usability: 6.5%
Natural Hazards: earthquakes and floods
Environmental issues: inadequate sanitation facilities, increased levels of soil salinity, industrial pollution, heavy pesticides
The People
Population: 7,320,815
Infant Mortality Rate: 107 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 65 years
Major Diseases: no common threat
Religions: 90% Muslim, 10% mixed
Literacy Rate: 99%
Unemployment rate: 12%
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 64%
Special Conditions
Heavy minefields along border with Uzbekistan cause regular injuries to farmers and children.
Identifying the Need
The heavy level of poverty is multi-faceted. There is a diminishing ability to produce crops because of soil degradation. Perhaps a soil-enrichment program could help the Tajikistani farmers to produce better crops in higher volumes.
Currently food distribution is a great source of aid for such an impoverished nation which is greatly overlooked.
How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded
Udhiya / Qurbani distribution
In 2006 we were able to do our first work in Tajikistan through the distribution of meats on the Eid al-Adha. This was welcomed and appreciated by the poor communities as many people cannot afford meat throughout the year.
