Tajikistan is a mountainous country in Central Asia and is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Due to its geographical location, Tajikistan is at increased risk of glacial melting, extreme weather events and water shortages. Over the past few decades, average temperatures have risen, leading to a rapid decline in the glaciers that provide most of the country's freshwater.

This affects agriculture, a vital sector of the economy, and has significant implications for public health and the medical sector. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns contribute to the spread of diseases, including vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, as warmer conditions create a favorable environment for mosquitoes.

Water shortages caused by glacial melt and irregular precipitation are leading to sanitation challenges, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Additionally, extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves are straining healthcare systems, causing injuries and heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions.

**CLIMATE CHANGE – A GROWING THREAT TO MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH**

Climate-related disruptions, such as droughts and floods, negatively affect agriculture, leading to food shortages. This can result in higher rates of malnutrition among pregnant women, newborns, and children, compromising their immunity and growth. Malnutrition during pregnancy also increases the risk of complications during childbirth and can affect newborn development. Waterborne diseases come from changing rainfall patterns, melting glaciers and water scarcity increase the risk of water pollution and sanitation. This increases the incidence of diarrheal diseases, which are
the leading cause of child mortality in our country.

Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to these infections, which can impair maternal health and lead to early delivery or low birth weight. Access to health care can be another challenge, as extreme weather events such as floods or landslides, common in mountainous areas of Tajikistan, can damage roads and infrastructure, making it difficult for pregnant women and children to access health services. This can delay critical care such as prenatal check- ups, skilled birth attendance or postnatal care, increasing the risk of complications or maternal and infant mortality. Heat stress and air quality Rising temperatures as a result of climate change can lead to heat stress, especially in pregnant women. Poor air quality caused by environmental conditions or changing weather patterns can worsen respiratory diseases in children, further worsening health conditions in already resource-poor areas.

![Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 14.02.40.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Screenshot_2024_11_11_at_14_02_40_53f34d6ecd.png)

**SECTORAL CHALLENGES**

![Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 14.04.45.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Screenshot_2024_11_11_at_14_04_45_eaf8daaeb3.png)

Improving maternal and child health outcomes in Tajikistan requires climate adaptation and resilience building, such as strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing disease surveillance, improving nutrition, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Extreme weather events and changing climatic trends in Tajikistan create several challenges for the maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) sector as:

Difficulties in accessing health services can be caused by floods, landslides, and avalanches, which often occur due to Tajikistan's mountainous terrain and cause damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges. This makes it difficult for pregnant women and children to access health facilities, especially in rural and remote areas. Emergency maternal care, antenatal and postnatal services may be delayed or unavailable during extreme weather events, increasing the risk of maternal and infant mortality.

Waterborne diseases and sanitation problems associated with extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains, and melting glaciers, often lead to flooding and contamination of water sources. Poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water increase the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever, which affect newborns and children to a greater extent. Diarrhea, the leading cause of child mortality in developing countries, is often exacerbated by climate-induced water problems, leading to dehydration and malnutrition among young children.

Heat waves and rising temperatures can lead to climate change-induced temperature increases putting pregnant women and newborns at risk from heat stress, especially those living in rural areas with limited access to cooling or health facilities. Heat stress during pregnancy can lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, and maternal complications. Children are also susceptible to dehydration and heat-related illnesses, especially in poverty-stricken settings.

Increased incidence of transforming diseases as warming temperatures and changing rainfall patterns facilitate the spread of transforming diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which can have serious consequences for pregnant women and young children. Pregnant women are more susceptible to malaria, which can cause complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and children are at higher risk of death from these diseases.

**LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS FUND ACTIONING CLIMATE ADAPTATION MEASURES IN KHULTOON REGION**

![Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 14.09.31.png](https://llf-content-cdn.azureedge.net/llfcms/assets/Screenshot_2024_11_11_at_14_09_31_3b3d5d397d.png)

The strain on Tajikistan's health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, is often under-resourced and poorly prepared for the additional strain caused by extreme weather events. Power and water supply disruptions to health facilities during floods or droughts limit their ability to provide safe delivery and other maternal and child health services, posing additional risks to MNCH outcomes.

The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF)-funded Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services (MNCH) project in Tajikistan has greatly impact in the main health sector issues in Khatlon region. The project aims to improve health outcomes in vulnerable communities by focusing on several key areas that link climate resilience with MNCH services:

1. Improving Healthcare Infrastructure and Access: The project has enhanced healthcare infrastructure in target communities by making clinics and hospitals more easily accessible. This includes reinforcing buildings and providing transport to ensure continuous access to healthcare services during extreme weather events such as floods or landslides.
2. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programs: A major component of the LLF-funded project is improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in healthcare settings and communities. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential for preventing waterborne diseases that disproportionately affect mothers and children, especially in areas prone to climate-induced water shortages or flooding.
3. Emergency Preparedness and Response: In response to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the LLF project has focused on emergency preparedness. This includes training healthcare workers on related risks and ensuring that healthcare facilities are equipped to handle an influx of patients during emergencies like floods or heatwaves.
4. Community Awareness and Education: The project has increased community awareness of the links between climate change and health, particularly in relation to maternal and child well-being. Educational campaigns have been conducted to inform mothers about climate-related health risks, such as heat stress, waterborne diseases, and malnutrition, and the necessary steps to protect themselves and their children.
5. Installation of the Referral System among Health Facilities: It’s a crucial step in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery, particularly in the context of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). This system will ensure timely and appropriate referrals for patients needing specialized care, improving outcomes for at-risk mothers and children in Khatlon areas.

**CONCLUSION**

In summary, the LLF-funded MNCH project in Tajikistan has integrated climate resilience to help communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change on maternal and child health. By improving healthcare infrastructure, water access, nutrition, and emergency preparedness, the project strengthens both immediate and long-term resilience for mothers, newborns, and children. However, continued investment in healthcare systems and international support is necessary to further enhance Tajikistan's
capacity to address the evolving challenges posed by climate change.

**ABOUT IMPROVING MATERNAL, NEONATAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN FOUR DISTRICTS OF KHATLON REGION PROJECT – TAJIKISTAN**


The project aligns with the goals of the National Development Strategy (2016-2030) and the National Comprehensive Health Strategy (2010-2020), which focus on gradually reducing maternal and child mortality rates and addressing the burden of infectious diseases. It complements the efforts of the government and supports the strategic pillar of the IsDB Year Strategy on “Inclusive Social Development.” The project aims to lower maternal and child mortality while driving significant improvements in the quality of Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) services in the region.

This article was developed by the IMPROVING MATERNAL, NEONATAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN FOUR DISTRICTS OF KHATLON REGION PROJECT - TAJIKISTAN with the support of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF). The content of this document is the sole responsibility of the Project and does not reflect the views of LLF or its donors.

large_Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 11.15.15.png

medium_Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 11.15.15.png

small_Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 11.15.15.png

thumbnail_Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 11.15.15.png

Screenshot 2024-11-11 at 11.15.15.png

SAVING CLIMATE TO SAVE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

COP29

Reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality by improving access to quality maternal, child and neonatal healthcare services in Djibouti.

We are funding programs that combat infectious diseases, such as malaria and polio, ensure routine immunization, and strengthen primary health-care systems. 

Healthcare

Strengthening the provision of health care services at the peripheral level and enhancing the quality of services, focused on the person and patient safety. 

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter

Lives and Livelihoods Fund is a joint vision of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other development cooperation partners aimed at raising the poorest out of poverty in IsDB member countries.

About us

The Lives and Livelihoods Fund enables member countries to invest in themselves by providing concessional financing for projects with high human development impact.

Focus

The portfolio of projects approved by the LLF from 2016 to 2020 is already transforming thousands of lives and livelihoods.

Projects

Please enter your details in the fields below to subscribe

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter

LLF - Newsletter Signup

Country

million

Disbursement

Duration

Sector

Status

Type

Start date

small_Senegal.png

thumbnail_Senegal.png

Senegal.png

Senegal 

Healthcare icon

Agriculture icon

Senegal is a West African country bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country covers 197,000 square km and has a population of 17 million (2021). During the period covering the National Strategic Plan (2016-2020), morbidity and mortality rates declined significantly; from 4.86% in 2015 to 3.81% in 2020 for morbidity rates and from 3.52% in 2015 to 2.07% in 2020 for malaria mortality. Despite these results, malaria remains a public health problem in Senegal and the disease burden remains high in the central, southern and south-eastern areas of the country. Agriculture in Senegal employs around 75 per cent of the working population; of which half are women and comprises 17 per cent of GDP. Senegal has a wealth of land and water resources, a vibrant private sector around the rice value chain and ambitious government initiatives that are pre-requisites for developing the rice value chain and achieving rice self-sufficiency. Livestock is a strategic sub-sector that involves about 60% of rural households and possesses significant potential for growth given the endowment of vast natural resources and potential to set-up agro industries.


Supporting the Government of Senegal’s National Malaria Control Programme

LLF_Fact_Sheet_Senegal_Healthcare_Senegal_Support to the Malaria Control.pdf

Senegal: Support to the Malaria Control and Elimination Project

Cases checked using Rapid Diagnosis Tests (RDT)

Enabling people to lead better lives

large_homepage_healthcare_change_in_action_66465f51cc.webp

medium_homepage_healthcare_change_in_action_66465f51cc.webp

small_homepage_healthcare_change_in_action_66465f51cc.webp

thumbnail_homepage_healthcare_change_in_action_66465f51cc.webp

homepage_healthcare_change_in_action_66465f51cc.webp

Malaria Control and Elimination Project

Implementation

Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)

Africa

large_SSA 2.png

medium_SSA 2.png

small_SSA 2.png

thumbnail_SSA 2.png

SSA 2.png

Regional Overview - Africa

Africa, the second largest continent (after Asia), covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Earth. The continent is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and on the south by the mingling waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. As of 2019, the total population of Africa is estimated at 1.3 billion, representing 16 percent of the world's population. According to UN estimates, the population of Africa may reach 2.49 billion by 2050 (about 26% of the world's total) and 4.28 billion by 2100 (about 39% of the world's total). Africa is a young continent, with 60% of its population under the age of 25. The continent contains an enormous wealth of mineral resources, including some of the world’s largest reserves of fossil fuels, metallic ores, and gems and precious metals. Agriculture in Africa is the cornerstone of sub-Saharan Africa, generating almost 23 percent of the continent’s GDP, and smallholder farms form 80 percent of Africa’s farmland. Despite this, most African countries are plagued by systemic issues like wide-scale corruption or civil unrest. Infrastructure in Africa is profoundly underdeveloped, and the shortcomings extend across numerous sectors, including roads, railways, electricity generation, water purification, sewage and waste management, and ICT frameworks. In addition, infectious tropical diseases are leading causes of death in the continent. Malaria, for instance, causes 62.1 deaths per 100,000 people per year, while HIV/AIDS kills 121.9 per the same.

Latest updates

COP29

SAVING CLIMATE TO SAVE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

11, November 2024

Latest updates

COP29

SAVING CLIMATE TO SAVE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

11, November 2024

Follow us

Malaria Control and Elimination Project

Senegal

Project description

Sector

Type

Start date

Duration

Country

Status

Enabling people to lead better lives

Media

1/3

Related projects

Strengthening Djibouti's Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health System

Strengthening Primary Health Care to Improve Health and Nutrition

Cookies