Japan assists child protection project in Khujand

DUSAHNBE, July 15, 2011, Asia-Plus – On Wednesday July 14, Mr. Koji Hayashi, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Mr. Mirzosaid Okhunov, deputy chief of the Sughd police directorate, attended a handover ceremony at the Center for Minors in Khujand, Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe reports.

“The Project for Reconstruction of Facility for Child Protection in Khujand City” with the total amount of US$104,218, funded by the Government of Japan in the framework of Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) has been successfully implemented.

In the rapid change of socio-economic condition after breakout of civil war in Tajikistan, many children were left without appropriate care from their parents or in the worse case, some of them were abused by family members.  These children sometimes have to spend their time in the streets where they were exposed to unsafe and unhygienic environment.  The Reception Center for Minors of the Sughd police directorate receives such children, provides them accommodation and services such as counseling and vocational trainings.  The center also supports the children to reintegrate with their families by providing alternative care.

In the framework of the project, the building of the Child Protection Center, including vocational training rooms and a guard room, was reconstructed.  Moreover, equipment such as beds, desks, sewing machines and computers was provided through the project.  In addition, it will bring positive influences on the lives of children by expanding their means of living, which will lead reduction of drug use and child exploitation.

This project will contribute to ensuring basic human rights of children in Sughd province.  

The Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) provides support to projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level. The GGP is provided to local governments, NGOs, and educational and medical institutions in developing countries.  Since 1996, GGP has extended more than US$ 19.3 million for 267 projects in Tajikistan.