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.

Living in a deprived settlement presents many difficulties. Among them, access to basic health services, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, can become a real obstacle course. Thanks to Swiss support, more than 600 people have been able to register at a Family Medicine Center and obtain health care services.

The project has been implemented by the local NGOs PA “Kyrgyz Family Planning Alliance” in partnership with PA “Arysh”, PA “Child Protection Center” and NGO “Advocacy Center for Human Rights”. It helped to set up a system to receive medical services in primary health care organizations through a referral document. Once registered, a person gets an access to basic health services and can get the compulsory health insurance. During two months, in September and October 2020, more than 600 internal migrants in Osh and Bishkek have been registered.

In addition, at the peak of the first wave, 6,000 low-income families with children living in 12 deprived settlements in Bishkek and 11 in Osh received food packages and personal protective and hygienic equipment for COVID-19 prevention.

The NGOs also worked with them to prevent domestic violence and child suicides through psychosocial support. Talks and consultations with parents on methods of non-violent parenting took place. A participant of the training explains that thanks to this training, she listen more to her children and discuss with them about their future. Another participant said: “I have learned what psychological violence is. Before I thought that only physical violence exists”. Detection system was put in place with the neighborhood heads and community leaders. They were informed about what to do and where to turn in cases of domestic violence for women and children.