Who Are the Orphans of Tajikistan?
⬤
public
Who Are the Orphans of Tajikistan?
The Tajik Civil War (1992-1997) that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union left an estimated 50,000 dead, 700,000 displaced, 25,000 women widowed, and 55,000 children orphaned.
Although the political situation in the country has stabilized, widespread poverty has further exacerbated the condition of Tajik women and children. Eighty percent of the population resides below the poverty level and, with unemployment levels reaching 60% in some parts of the country, over one million Tajik citizens, mostly men, have left to find work abroad, generally in Russia.
Although this migration offers financial benefits to the workers' families, the social costs have been high for the (mostly) women and children left behind, often resulting in the abandonment or institutionalization of children.
In addition, abandonment and stigmatization of children with mental illnesses and certain medical conditions has risen for both financial and cultural reasons.
Of the estimated 11,000 Tajik children presently institutionalized throughout the country, over 80% are not true orphans.
Although the political situation in the country has stabilized, widespread poverty has further exacerbated the condition of Tajik women and children. Eighty percent of the population resides below the poverty level and, with unemployment levels reaching 60% in some parts of the country, over one million Tajik citizens, mostly men, have left to find work abroad, generally in Russia.
Although this migration offers financial benefits to the workers' families, the social costs have been high for the (mostly) women and children left behind, often resulting in the abandonment or institutionalization of children.
In addition, abandonment and stigmatization of children with mental illnesses and certain medical conditions has risen for both financial and cultural reasons.
Of the estimated 11,000 Tajik children presently institutionalized throughout the country, over 80% are not true orphans.
Aid to Orphans Program Photos
Photos from the Association for Tajik Aid and Development's Aid To Orphans program
Flowers for ATAD
Practice Makes Perfe...
The Gift
A New Stove
Celebrating Tajik In...
Girl with Flowers
Why They Need Help
By the terms of the 1994 Constitution, the government of Tajikistan is obligated to provide care for orphans; however, chronic shortages of food, clothing, and other necessities remain in many orphanages and institutions, worsened by the inconsistent access to potable drinking water and electricity in some parts of the country. Many orphanages remain heavily dependent on private or foreign aid to function.
The orphanage in the Spitamen district, Sogd region, Tajikistan, a rural area near the northern city of Khujand, is a fairly typical example of the kinds of handicaps facing institutions throughout Tajikistan. The orphanage, which houses more than 20 children, is currently without toilets, showers, hot water, heating, or internet access of any kind. In addition, electricity is usually available only a few hours each day.
The orphanage in the Spitamen district, Sogd region, Tajikistan, a rural area near the northern city of Khujand, is a fairly typical example of the kinds of handicaps facing institutions throughout Tajikistan. The orphanage, which houses more than 20 children, is currently without toilets, showers, hot water, heating, or internet access of any kind. In addition, electricity is usually available only a few hours each day.
Organizations Working to Help Tajik Orphans
- Association for Tajik Aid and Development
- ATAD is dedicated to providing relief to the poor of Tajikistan and breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations. ATAD's Aid to Orphans program works to improve the standard of living and educational opportunities for Tajik orphans and institutionalized children.
- ORA International
- ORA International is a non-denominational Christian relief and development organization. The Tajikistan program works to improve the lives of orphans and institutionalized children and also offers a sponsorship program.
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- The world's largest humanitarian organization, the Red Cross/Red Crescent's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. The Tajikistan Red Crescent has worked to improve conditions in a number of orphanages around the country.
- UNICEF
- UNICEF, the United Nation's Children's Fund, conducts a number of programs that work to improve the lives of orphans and other children in Tajikistan.
Adopting from Tajikistan
In 2006, Tajikistan changed its Family Code to prohibit intercountry adoption of Tajik orphans.
Couples which consist of at least one Tajik citizen will still be allowed to adopt, but all other adoptions by non-Tajik citizens are expressly forbidden by Tajik law.
Couples which consist of at least one Tajik citizen will still be allowed to adopt, but all other adoptions by non-Tajik citizens are expressly forbidden by Tajik law.
Tajik Adoption Links
- Intercountry Adoption Tajikistan
- Information from the US Department of State about intercountry adoptions from Tajikistan
- Adopting From Tajikistan
- Links and resources about Tajikistan and Tajik adoptions
Learn More About Tajikistan
- Association for Tajik aid and Development aStore
- Support the Association for Tajik Aid and Development's work with Tajik orphans while shopping for books and other media about Tajikistan and its neighbors and influences in Central Asia and the world.
- ATAD on del.icio.us
- Browse an extensive collection of links about Tajikistan and Central Asia
Guestbook
2008