The Government of Switzerland allocated CHF 50’000 to protect the rights and wellbeing of elderly people. The support includes measures to inform and prevent COVID-19 infection, to prevent violence against elderly and to improve access to health and social protection services. This work is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Social Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Currently, food packages and sanitary items are being distributed by the implementing partners HelpAge International in Kyrgyzstan, PA Resource Center for the Elderly People, ADRA-Kyrgyzstan and PF Babushka Adoption. 

The selection of beneficiaries was done with the support of local authorities and self-help groups for elderly people. It was based on income criteria and health conditions.

Today the Swiss Ambassador Véronique Hulmann participated in a food distribution in Kant. During her visit she highlighted the importance of providing aid to the most vulnerable people and congratulated representatives of the self-help groups for their outstanding commitment. The work of the volunteers who provide support and comfort to vulnerable people and contribute to find solutions to their concerns in all times is crucial. It contributes to enhance solidarity and social justice in the Kyrgyz Republic. She also thanks project partners for their work and commitment.

The Bai-Alai Program is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan in cooperation with Aga-Khan Foundation. 

Realizing the need to take urgent measures to maintain the functioning of the food supply chains to mitigate major shocks that can especially affect the poor and the most vulnerable segments of the population, it was decided to allocate 45 tons of barley seeds, 20 tons of sainfoin seeds and 33 tons of nitrogen fertilizer as an aid to 320 households in Alai and Chon-Alai districts. These funds will help to grow fodder crops on 224 hectares of land. 

In addition, the Bai-Alai program will provide farmers in these areas with 300 seed doses of highly productive cattle breeds (Aberdeen Angus, Simmental and Schwitz) and 100 liters of liquid nitrogen for 300 farmers. These artificial insemination tools will be given to local insemination technicians so that they can help the local population. 

The Bai-Alai program facilitates the growth of local and regional markets to improve living conditions of the people in Alai and Chon Alai districts.