LIVELIHOODS FUND IMPLEMENTS $23MLN HEALTH PROJECT IN TAJIKISTAN
The Islamic Development Bank’s (IsDB) Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF) announced that the total value of the “Improving Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH)” project, which it implements with its international partners in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, to serve poor areas, amounted to $23 million.
The announcement was made during an on-site visit in September to the project by the international donors, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD); the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF); the IsDB’s Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD); the King Salman Humanitarian Aid, and Relief Center (KSRelief); Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
The MNCH project is located in Four Districts of Khatlon Region and has been implemented by the Republic of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population (MHSP) with a total blended funding of US$23 million comprising 65 percent ordinary financing (US$14.95 million) by IsDB and a 35 percent grant (US$8.05) by LLF.
Dr. Waleed Addas, Head of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund commented: “This health project is the first and only LLF investment in the whole CIS region and symbolizes the priority of the Fund partners,” lauding the efforts of the Government of Tajikistan to make the LLF Donors Field Visit a great success.
The (KSRelief) said in a statement: “Our visit to Tajikistan came to enhance the humanitarian role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its eagerness to provide support to the affected people around the globe.”
Mr. Ali Al Dabbagh, Deputy Director-General for Planning at Qatar Fund for Development said: “The main driver behind QFFD’s decision to be the first Sovereign Fund in the Lives and Livelihoods Fund is its strategic alignment with QFFD’s priority sectors, one of which is the health sector.”
Mr. Ibrahim Shoukry, IsDB Group’s Regional head for Central Asia commended the government of Tajikistan for entrusting IsDB as a strategic development partner. He stated that IsDB has provided over 644 million dollars to support the development agenda of Tajikistan in the Energy, Agricultural, Education and Health, Transport, and financial sector.
In 2016, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) was launched with US$ 2.5 billion of capital under a joint vision to raise the poorest out of poverty in Islamic Development Bank member countries. The LLF is the largest development initiative of its kind in the Middle East and serves 33 IsDB member countries, with 32 ongoing operations across 21 Countries.