Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster

Once the world’s fourth largest lake, the drying up of the Aral Sea is considered one of the world’s worst environmental disasters, causing a cascade of challenges for the already disadvantaged region of Karakalpakstan. Desertification and the increased salinity of water have degraded all arable land, thus worsening food and economic insecurity leading to malnutrition and a poverty rate of 44%. In addition, severe dust storms as a result of the dry seabed has worsened the respiratory health of the local population and added stress to an overburdened healthcare system. These multifaceted and interconnected outcomes have constrained economic opportunities, undermined resilience and threatened the future of the region.

The overall goal of the programme is to empower the rural communities of Karakalpakstan affected by the Aral Sea disaster by improving their economic, food and health security and enhance the capacity of Government institutions to cope with the complexity of the challenges caused by the disaster. Accordingly, the programme establishes a protection and empowerment framework to: (i) improve the economic security of vulnerable groups by providing a range of income-generating opportunities; (ii) strengthen the ability of healthcare workers to address the consequences of the environmental disaster; and (iii) build the capacity of regional and district authorities to develop effective and evidence-based policies through improved data management and delivery of social services.

KEY MATERIALS
Programme Summary
Programme Brochure
Access to Drinking Water: A Story of Nayman Community
Bee Farming: A New Income Generation Opportunity
Laster Land Leveling: An Innovative Water Saving Technology
Milk Collection Center in Kanlikul: A Step Forward Food Security
Enhanced Primary Healthcare Sector: An Evidence from “Dosliq” Rural Healthcare Point
Women Economic Empowerment: Prerequisite for Sustainable Development