Thanks to the support from the Government of Switzerland, two modern production lines and four trucks were handed over to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Through this project, the MES moved from manual to automated local production of gabion nets, allowing the two workshops to manufacture the required amount of gabion nets annually, increasing the production rate by four times. The trucks will deliver the much-needed gabion nets to far away regions throughout the country in a timely manner and shorten the lead time for emergency assistance. Additionally, the information technology infrastructure for disaster monitoring and early warning systems were improved. This contribution will significantly enhance the ability of MES to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable population and ultimately reduce the impact of climate change on food and nutrition security.

“The Government of Switzerland will continue to support vulnerable communities prone to natural disasters. We are proud to provide the Ministry of Emergency Situations the resources to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change and build a systemic approach in managing hazards, such as droughts, mudslides and floods,” said the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic Olivier Bangerter.

With the automated system and quality assurance processes in place, the workshops, operating on a Public-Private Partnership basis, will allow the country to produce the necessary gabion nets required. Previously, large bulk of the gabion nets were imported from abroad. Produced gabion nets will be used to strengthen slopes, protect riverbed and banks and other disaster prevention measures.

“We thank the Government of Switzerland for this effective contribution and its commitment in supporting the vulnerable communities in rural and mountainous areas. WFP will continue to closely work with the Government at all levels, to facilitate the shift from disaster response to disaster risk management and allowing sustainable and transformative changes among vulnerable rural communities affected by the climate change,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Kojiro Nakai.

In January 2023, the Government of Switzerland has allocated over USD 9.2 million to WFP’s pillar aimed at building the resilience of the most vulnerable rural communities against climate change and disaster risks. This component is being implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic. The activities within the pillar will cover Osh, Batken, Jalalabad and Naryn provinces and support around 250,000 most vulnerable households, as well as targeted local authorities and institutions at the national level. Reliable and timely climate information, disaster-resilient planning and selected infrastructure support will be provided to the beneficiaries. In 2022, USD 2.2 million was allocated by the Government of Switzerland to this component.

With the generous contribution of USD 473,000 from the Government of Switzerland, WFP, in partnership with the Social Protection Department under the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration, completed repair and construction works at the 6 priority SIIs in Chuy, Jalal-Abad, Talas and Batken provinces with worst WASH conditions (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene). In particular, better living conditions in terms of access to water, sanitation and hygiene have been established and the infrastructure of kitchen facilities have been improved.

In total 1200 residents, receiving social care services at SIIs, which include adult persons with disabilities and the elderly, now have access to proper WASH facilities, as well as balanced and nutritious meals. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy named after I.K. Ahunbaev, WFP enhanced the physiological food norms (daily food rations for vegetables, bread, meat and etc) for all SIIs, which were not revised since 2007.

Previously, the SIIs used the same outdated food norms for adults and children, the project adjusted the norms for children and prepared a more balanced ration (less carbohydrates) for all residents of SIIs. With the updated food norms, a new decree was issued and accompanying regulation to implement food norms across all SII was developed. Additionally, WFP completed capacity strengthening activities for cooks and administration of all 16 SIIs in the country under the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration on enhancing meal preparation and basic nutritional knowledge.