Building resilience of communities affected by the Aral Sea disaster through Multi-Partner Human Security Fund for the Aral Sea

As a result of the Aral Sea environmental disaster, the population of Karakalpakstan, in the north-western region of Uzbekistan, is faced with income poverty, growing salinization of land and water resources, lack of food security, exposure to dust storms, poor quality of drinking water, and declining health. To reduce the destructive impact of the Aral Sea crisis, Governments, the UN system, bilateral and multilateral donors, and others have been raising awareness of the issue and responding to mitigate its human, ecological, and economic consequences. Despite these efforts, more cooperation and increased resources are necessary to address the scope and severity of challenges, reduce vulnerability and build the resilience of local communities to continue to advance the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the region. ​

Based on the characteristics of the region, the programme focuses on ensuring environmental, economic, food, social and health security for affected communities, with the aim to reduce poverty, enhance resilience, and achieve sustainable development across the SDGs. Specifically, the programme: (i) advances the integration of the human security approach as a methodology for assessing the needs, vulnerabilities and capacities of the affected communities, (ii) provides concrete and sustainable benefits to vulnerable people and communities by promoting protection and empowerment strategies based on human security principles, and (iii) establishes a well-coordinated mechanism to expand the reach of the programme activities and promote greater support and replication of the human security approach for the achievement of the SDGs in the region.

KEY MATERIALS
Programme Summary
Programme One Pager
Beneficiaries’ Stories
Newsletters
Infographics:​ Results of the 1st Programme 
Infographics:​ The Aral Sea Crisis and Its Consequences
Infographics:​ Advantages of the MPTF for the Aral Sea Infographics
Infographics:​ The Human Security Concept