Tajikistan
In Tajikistan, FSD acts at two levels: the destruction of stockpiles of obsolete weapons and ammunition, and the remediation of areas contaminated with toxic pollutants.
FSD staff moving obsolete ammunition to a safe location for its destruction, using controlled explosion. (Tajikistan, 2020)
Tajikistan
Context
In 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan, alongside several former Soviet States, declared its independence. At the time, numerous stockpiles of weapons and ammunition were stored throughout the country. Today, a large portion of the weapons remains in the country in poor stockpile conditions. They constitute a threat for national and regional security, posing the risk of accidental explosions or of falling into the wrong hands.
Tajikistan is also contaminated by other dangerous remnants dating back to the Soviet era. In 1950–60, pesticides were largely distributed in the country, almost for free, to increase the agricultural production. The collapse of the Soviet Union saw numerous stockpiles of the pesticides abandoned in the country.
Since then, such obsolete pesticides, notably Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, have started to infiltrate the environment and the food chain. Long-term exposure to such organic persistent pollutants has been linked to a series of negative impacts on health, from effects on the nervous, immune, reproductive and endocrine systems to various types of birth defects and cancers.
While the Tajik government is aware of the risks of such substances on health, the environment and the economy, it lacks the legal, financial and institutional resources to solve the problem.
When it rains or snows, the soil turns yellow and the smell is unbearable.
Salmanjoon
Timeline
FSD in Tajikistan
The FSD presence in Tajikistan dates back to 2003, when the Foundation carried out a mine action programme supported by the United States Department of State.
In parallel, in 2009, FSD launched a stockpile disposal programme to promote national and regional security, also funded by the United States of America.
In 2016, FSD initiated a third project: the remediation of areas contaminated by toxic pesticides that were remnants of the Soviet era. FSD established a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme to develop clean and efficient remediation technology.
In 2018, demining operations in Tajikistan were suspended due to lack of funding.
Stories
News from Tajikistan
Environmental remediation
In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, FSD is expanding its involvement in the remediation of soil contaminated by toxic pesticides. As part of this GEF-funded project, FSD is working […]
New trees planted in Vakhsh
With the collaboration of the Deputy Director of the Tajik Committee for Environmental Protection, Ms Qiamzoda Zarafo, FSD has planted a further 3,000 trees […]
Weapons and ammunition destruction
➡️ Incineration, for small arms ammunition and pyrotechnics
➡️ Controlled explosion, for larger weapons […]
CENTIMETRE after CENTIMETRE
In 2021, our deminers cleared 8.5 kms², an area equivalent to half of Geneva. The task required constant concentration, even in working conditions that were at times extreme.
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