In this issue:

HEALTHCARE

• Seminar for HIV/AIDS specialists in South of Kyrgyzstan
• Orientation and Planning meeting on Promoting Effective Perinatal Care

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Update on Counterpart Consortium/USAID/UN/EU-Supported NGO activities

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

• German Support for Social Grass-Roots Projects

HEALTHCARE

During the last week of May, the UNDP AIDS Project has conducted a seminar entitled “Psycho social consulting as an integral part of HIV-testing” where 25 specialists from Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces participated. This seminar was important to train doctors and NGO representatives when HIV-epidemic in Osh oblast is developing. In all 26 HIV-infected cases were detected from February 1 through May 31, 2001, which is 13 times higher than for the whole period of registration of HIV-cases. At present, 5 more blood tests from Osh are going through confirmation. In this regard, it is important to create a system of voluntary and confidential HIV-testing, pre-testing and ante-testing psychosocial consulting. Before this seminar, the trainers, educated by UNDP AIDS Project, were invited by the French NGO “Medecins Sans Frontieres” (MSF) to hold a similar seminar for the specialists working for MSF and NGO representatives in Osh city. In other words, Osh has already educated local specialists, who can organize trainings on psychosocial consulting in districts of Osh province. As for the districts of Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces, the work will need the further support of UNDP Social Programme on AIDS.

Contact: Mrs. Larissa Bashmakova, National Project Manager, tel./fax: (996 312) 66-36-91. tel.: (996 312) 22-03-84, e-mail:

Based on the achievements and the results of work of the last 5 years in Kyrgyzstan in the area Perinatal/Neonatal care through the programme CARAK, an Orientation and Planning meeting on Promoting Effective Perinatal Care (PEPC) for the representatives of the Ministry of Health was conducted in 12-14 June 2001 in Bishkek. The meeting helped to follow up the previous results in the CARAK pilot districts in Kyrgyzstan as well as other initiative related to perinatal/neonatal health and activate the issue of introducing WHO recommended PEPC initiative in the country. WHO/EURO Promoting Effective Perinatal Care (PEPC) initiative is aimed at diminishing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, at ensuring the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all women and newborns with emphasis on the development of primary health care, and at protecting health and promoting well being and psychosocial development of women and newborns. During the meeting such issues as: revising CARAK results and achievements, similar programmes in connection with perinatal/neonatal health in Kyrgyzstan, introducing the WHO/PEPC approach to make pregnancy and birth safer; providing information on the operational implications at the PEPC strategy implementation; identifying/discussing the main needs and challenges and management options in the practical implementation of the PEPC initiative at country level, promoting cross-sector discussion and awareness of standards of care and the technical requirements (human resources, training curricula, supplies, equipment) for planning and implementing a national PEPC strategy, outlining future plans based on the outcome of discussions of the strategy implementation at country level were discussed.

Contact: Ms. Cholpon Asanbaeva, NPO, WHO. 62 Toktogul Street, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Tel.: (996 312) 29-87-98, 29-87-91. Fax: (996 312) 68-09-40. Email:

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Update on Counterpart Consortium/USAID/UN/EU-Supported NGO activities – 13 June 2001 the International Organization for Migration, USAID and Counterpart Consortium held the final round table of the joint project «Capacity Building to Combat Trafficking of Migrants, Especially Women and Children, in the Kyrgyz Republic». The round table was held in the HYATT Regency Hotel in Bishkek. Fifty-two government officials, representatives of international, non-governmental organizations, tourist agencies and the mass media, who participated in the development of recommendations to combat trafficking in human beings, took part in the round table. The purpose of the round table is to approve recommendations developed at the previous project seminars and meetings.

Through the joint initiative of Secretary of State Osmonakun Ibraimov and the IOM Mission in the Kyrgyz Republic, a working group chaired by the Deputy General Attorney of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. A. S. Sydykov was created. This group consists of representatives of law enforcement, migration, customs and judiciary authorities, as well as representatives of international and non-governmental organizations. Currently the working group is developing an anti-trafficking Plan of Action, which is based on previously developed recommendations.

Within the framework of the counter trafficking project, a series of round tables, seminars and workshops were conducted in Bishkek and Osh. These events attracted over 400 participants. Previous meetings were devoted to discussions of the international documents related to trafficking in human beings and elaboration of measures to improve national legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as building partnerships among all sectors of Kyrgyz society to effectively combat trafficking. Trainings on reintegration and provision of social assistance to the victims of trafficking as well as organization of hotlines were conducted. Third sector representatives from all oblasts of the Kyrgyz Republic also participated in these trainings. Participants of these events developed recommendations in three areas: 1) prevention of trafficking in persons – information campaigns, research and educational programs; 2) criminal/administrative prosecution and suppressing trafficking in persons – improving legislation, support to and increasing effectiveness of law enforcement, judicial, migration, customs, border and other bodies; 3) protection of and assistance to the victims in returning home and in their reintegration.

Realization of this project is the first step in joining the efforts of all interested parties in combating trafficking in persons. IOM Chief Programme Specialist, Ms. Ruth Pojman, expressed her hope that “these recommendations will be supported and implemented in concrete future projects.” One such step is a short informative film, which is currently being made, on trafficking in human beings. There was also a proposal to create a National Council to coordinate implementation of the recommendations, which would be an important step in combating trafficking in persons.

The seminar participants agreed that resolving the problem of trafficking in persons requires a coordinated effort among all sectors of the society and effective cooperation of respective agencies in sending, transit and receiving countries. The importance of developing a comprehensive approach to successfully address this issue was emphasized. For additional information please contact IOM office at 651730/1/2/3/ or Counterpart Consortium at 610261.

On June 6, 2001 a meeting of stakeholders of the Issyk-Kul Civil Society Support Center (CSSC) was held by the CSSC/NGO Leader. There were 8 people present at the meeting: deputy of rayon governing body, chairman of a condominium, deputy of the city governing body, president of the Association of the Groups of Family Practitioners, director of the VEGA firm, chairman of the Jety-Oguz Aiymy NGO, director for the regional branch of the state fund supporting small and medium business, director of the branch of the Association Advocating for Citizens’ Social Interests, journalist of the newspaper Vesti of Issyk-Kul, and CSSC manager. At the meeting the following issues were under consideration:

• information about the CSSC”s activities over the period of 31.01.2001 until the present time
• Grant review committee decisions
• Projected activities of the CSSC for June-July 2001
• Projected advocacy campaigns

On June 7-8, 2001 Counterpart Consortium held a Social Partnership training in the training room of the UNDP office in Karakol. It was held for 21 representing the NGO community, businesses, governmental agencies and mass media. This two-day training provides the participants with an understanding of relationships among Government, businesses and NGOs. The participants gained skills in establishing mutually beneficial collaboration, practical recommendations in making agreements, learned about principles and conditions of social partnership, practiced the tools such as SWOT analysis and stakeholders’ analysis, as well as discussed some other issues. The workshop was organized by the Issyk-Kul CSSC and was held under the Program of Civil Society and NGO Development in Central Asia Region implemented by Counterpart and funded by USAID.

On June 7-8, 2001 the Jalal-Abad Civil Society Support Center (CSSC) held a training workshop in Fundraising. 23 people representing the NGO sector, initiative groups and target communities from Aral and Leninskoe villages participated in the workshop. This two-day workshop helps the participants identify sources of funding and acquire skills in raising funds and resources for their organizations by discussing of the fundraising and its role in NGO development, marketing approach to collecting money and other resources, fundraising methodology and alternatives and fundraising.

On June 11-12, 2001 a Project Design workshop was held in the Isphana, Leilek district, Batken province, in the building of the Children’s Educational Center “Meerim”. The workshop was held by the Batken Civil Society Support Center. The training was held for 25 representatives from governmental and non-profit organizations. The purpose of training was to help the participants acquire skills in writing proposals that meet the requirements of international donor. The participants acquired good skills in filling out applications for community-action grants. The workshop was held under Counterpart Consortium training program funded through USAID.

On June 6-10 the Batken CSSC held one more workshop in NGO and Community for 26 participants from local NGOs and governmental agencies. During two-day training the participants analyzed NGO relationship with the elements of the environment, studied the place and role of NGOs in a democratic and civil society. The training workshop was held under the training program of Counterpart Consortium funded through USAID.

On June 12-13, 2001 the Kara-Balta CSSC “Consulting” held a Social Partnership training in Kara-Balta. It was held for 14 attendees representing the NGO community, refugees and mass media. This two-day training provides the participants with an understanding of relationships among Government, businesses and NGOs. The participants gained skills in establishing mutually beneficial collaboration, practical recommendations in making agreements, learned about principles and conditions of social partnership, practiced the tools such as SWOT analysis and stakeholders’ analysis, as well as discussed some other issues. The workshop was held under the Program of Civil Society and NGO Development in Central Asia Region implemented by Counterpart and funded by USAID.

The Center of Volunteerism under the CSSC “Leader” plans to operate a summer camp for 35 disabled children and orphans on June 18-20, 2001. The camp will be attended by children from Karakol, 2 children from the NGO Bayastan (Naryn) and 15 volunteers. The purpose of this camp is to integrate disabled children in society and develop the volunteer movement in Karakol. It will be a 3-day program. Later, it is assumed to involve the Association of Parents “An Island of Hope”, NGO Bayastan/Naryn and NGO Umut-Bulak and a Committee of Unemployed Women in advocacy campaign.

Contact: Counterpart Consortium, Lilia Kuchenova, IU/AUK Program Coordinator, Information Coordinator of NGO, 107 Kievskaya str., 5th floor, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Phone: 996(312) 610 135, 610 022, 664 636 Fax: 996(312) 610 021 Email: Internet: http://www.cango.net.kg/

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

German Support for Social Grass-Roots Projects – On June 15, the German embassy in Bishkek granted 1,210 DM (US$ 580) to the Community-Based Organization (CBO) Aj Bulak from Kan and 3,296 DM (US$ 1,570) to the Zardelek CBO from Tunuk-Suu village to support a school refurbishment and water channel project. The mountain villages of Kan and Tunuk-Suu, whose respective population is 564 and 212, are situated in Batken district, in South Kyrgyzstan.

The Aj Bulak CBO wants to repair the school in Kan, which was constructed on the bases of ashar (voluntary community work and donations by villagers) in 1940 and was designed for 180 pupils. Although the school is now pretty run-down, the village children continue to attend classes in it. The small municipal budget does not allows proper maintenance and repair. In 1998, however, lack of space and the increase of pupils became such that the community called an ashar again to build an additional one-floor building with 180 places. Due to lack of funding, the new building was not completed although it was taken in use as a school. In winter it is very cold in the corridor because there are no glasses in its windows. As of today, 315 schoolchildren study at school, and about 10 teachers work there. For the completion of the school it is necessary to put glass in the veranda and to fill the base floor of the building. The teachers will carry out the technical-construction works themselves, while the municipality will set up annual maintenance works. Aj-Bulak and the villagers will carry out the technical-construction works of the school themselves in cooperation with the UNDP Preventive Development in the South of Kyrgyzstan program (see http://www.pdsouth.elcat.kg/ for more information) and ensure maintenance after that.

The Zardelek CBO plans to repair a 7.2 km long irrigation channel that was was constructed in 1936 and crosses arid mountains. Until 1991, the channel’s maintenance and repair was the responsibility of the collective farm. The channel irrigated 20 ha of good agricultural land. After the collapse of the USSR and the disbanding of the collective farm, the channel and the land were abandoned and left unmaintained. Due to lack of funding, the channel was not properly maintained and repaired for almost 10 years and mudslides and frost damaged it further or clogged up many spots. That way, much water gets lost. The reconstruction of the channel will allow to regain over 30 ha of much-needed agricultural land and will raise the agricultural production and income of the local population. Land shortage is a huge problem in this arid, mountainous region where agriculture, the main source of income in this area, is confined to irrigated pockets. The land plots that the people of Tunuk-Suu now use lay around the lowland villages of Check and Jangy-Jer, which are in 70 km from the village. Zardelek and the villagers will carry out the technical-construction works of the channel themselves (also in cooperation with the UNDP program). After the completion of the project, the Dara municipality and Water Users Committee will set up annual maintenance works.

Both villages were held by guerillas for about 3 months during the Batken crisis of 1999. Many of the villagers (especially women, children and elders) lived as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Chek and Jangy-Jer and received humanitarian assistance from Deutsche Welthungerhilfe, Mercy Corps International, ICRC and UNHCR.

Contact: The UN Regional Coordination Office in South Kyrgyzstan (Batken, contact person: Bruno De Cordier). Phone (996 3622) 361.44 or 360.29. E-mail: