KULOB, August 10, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Oxfam (Great Britain) has held a coordination meeting in Khatlon’s Vose district.

The meeting that was held within the framework of the “Raising Profitability and Livelihoods of 20 Vulnerable Villages in Four Khatlon Districts” Project brought together representatives of local jamoats of Tugarak, Pakhtaobod, Pakhtakor, and Mehnatkor, as well as district administration and NGOs being partners of Oxfam.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Nosir Abdulvohidov, coordinator assistant of the Water, Sanitation and Public Health Program, said that the meeting participants had visited villages targeted by the project and where greenhouse crop production had been arranged.

“This two-year project with a budget of 1 million euros is financed by the European Commission,” said the source, “Since 2008, the project has worked in Kulob, Vose, Temourmalik and Qumsangir districts, covering 20 the most vulnerable villages in these districts.”

The project also provides for ensuring better access of population to clean water and sanitary-technical conditions, he added.  10 reservoirs for keeping rain water will be constructed within the framework of this project.

Oxfam provides seeds and technical advice to help farmers increase the quantity and variety of food they grow.  It also encourages rural communities to work together and set up village committees to share advice and provide support to their members.

In Tajikistan, Oxfam''s focus is on sustainable livelihoods, health, disaster preparedness, and improving supplies and sources of food and clean water.