Afghanistan/Tadjikistan

As in previous years, there has been no direct bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan or Afghanistan. In these two countries, Luxembourg’s Development Cooperation is pursuing its projects in close collaboration with the PATRIP foundation (Pakistan Afghanistan Tajikistan Regional Integration Programme). The projects financed by Luxembourg through the foundation and implemented by the Danish NGO Mission East focus principally on water, sanitation and hygiene. In addition, the NGO is investing more in efforts to reduce risk, in order to strengthen the sustainability of these projects, in close collaboration, in particular, with village communities (e.g. plantations of shrubs and trees).

In 2019, Luxembourg’s Development Cooperation’s financial contribution amounted to about EUR 920,000, making it possible to supply running water and to install sanitation in 28 mountain villages, 18 on the Afghan side and 10 on the Tajik side. In addition, 627 latrines, some of which are accessible by persons with reduced mobility, and 14 dry latrines were built in these villages. Hygiene training courses were delivered by the Mission East NGO to address the dangers of water-borne diseases. In addition, in most of the villages projects were implemented to stabilise the soil and protect infrastructure in order to cope better with the natural disasters often seen in the region. The Mission East projects are founded upon sustainability. The villages that have benefited from the infrastructure installed are all jointly responsible for their maintenance and smooth operation.