UNDP Gharm Area Office (former RRDP) initiated its activities in 5 districts (Rasht, Nurobod, Tavildara, Tojikobod and Jergatol) of Rasht Valley in 1996 in response to the consequences of the Civil War. From 1996 to 2001, UNDP Gharm AO completed the first phase of its activity aimed at reconstructing and rehabilitating infrastructure affected by the war and reintegrating ex-combatants into civilian life. 

Since 2001, the office supported the stabilization of political and economical processes through conflict prevention, poverty reduction and practical government policy management at the local level. Since its establishment, UNDP Gharm AO received assistance from many donors, most notably from UNDP, European Union/DGRELEX, USAID, ECHO, WB, GEF, UNTFHS and the governments of UK, Sweden, Norway and Japan. 

In 2010, the office in partnership with UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme completed BCPR-funded project “Strengthening of Early Recovery Capacities in Tajikistan” Project. The project began in 2009 to assist local population in recovering of critical facilities, improving the food security, livelihoods and income recovery, infrastructure restoration, disaster risk reduction and conflict prevention. It covered 7 Jamoats of Rasht, Tajikabad and Tavildara districts, and constructed/rehabilitated 26 infrastructure sub-projects on drinking and irrigation water, energy, roads and bridges, rehabilitation of school as well as mud protective facilities. Total number of direct beneficiaries reached 32,200, of which 15,226 or 47% were women.

In addition, the UNDP Gharm Area Office as delivery mechanism on community level implemented other projects through partnership with UNDP Programmes/Projects in 2010. Through GFATM-funded project “Malaria Elimination in Tajikistan for 2009-2014”, the office constructed malaria diagnostic center in Rasht district as well as assisted UNDP-GEF-funded project “Sustaining of agrobiodiversity in the face of climate change” with implementation of project activities in Tajikabad and Nurabad districts.

Currently, the UNDP Gharm Area Office is continuing its partnership with GFATM and UNDP-GEF- funded projects. In 2011, the office assisted GFATM with procurement process for construction of DOTS Center in Tajikabad district as well as supervises on-going activities in construction site. Likewise, the office has facilitating UNDP-GEF funded project with monitoring of project activities, provision of consultations to International and National Consultants during field visits as well as performing other services as per project targets.

Geographic location

Rasht valley is located in north-eastern part of Tajikistan, which covers five districts (Rasht, Tajikabad, Jergital, Nurabad and Tavildara) with an area of approximately 17,055km square and population estimated to be slightly in excess of 296,700 people, spread across 40 Jamoats and 450 villages. On national level, it borders with Matchoh district of Sougd region on the north, with Roghun district on the west, with Khovaling district of Khatlon region on the southwest and Darvaz and Vanch districts of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous region on the southeast. Internationally, the valley borders with Chon-Alay district of Kyrgyzstan on the northeast through Algha Jamoat of Jergital district.

List of Partners:

1. Government at District level (Rasht, Tajikabad, Jergital, Nurabad and Tavildara)
2. Government at Jamoat level (40 Jamoats across across 5 districts)
3. Jamoat Resource Centers (38 JRCs across 5 districts)   
4. District Committee on Youth Affairs (Rasht, Tavildara)
5. Regional Micro-Finance Institutions (MFI “Fayzi Surkhob” and Ehyoi Kuhiston”)
6. District Employment Agencies (Rasht, Tavildara) 

Donor Agencies:

UNDP BCPR

Delivery status of UNDP Gharm AO

UNDP GHARM AREA OFFICE STAFF LIST