Kyrgyzstan
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Photo: Jason Sangster for Mercy Corps
Our strategy
Improve economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and families, and educational and vocational opportunities for youth.
The context
Kyrgyzstan draws global interest as Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy and a critical transit base for coalition forces in the war in Afghanistan. Although national reforms have been considered in the wake of the government overthrow and communal violence in 2010, there is rising unemployment and food insecurity, and ethnic tensions persist.
Our work
- Economic opportunity: Providing financing to small and medium sized businesses
- Agriculture & Food: Helping families manage home gardens, grow higher-quality fruits and raise healthier livestock to boost incomes
- Children & Youth: Supporting better learning through nutritious school meal programmes and classroom repairs improvements
All stories about Kyrgyzstan
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Kyrgyzstan: Vegetables out of thin air June 7, 2011
Sary-Mogol is a very remote village in the Chon-Alai region of southern Kyrgyzstan, located at 3,000 meters above sea level.
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Kyrgyzstan: Cash to improve food security in southern Kyrgyzstan June 2, 2011
On a recent crisp spring day in Osh, I was milling about one of our distribution sites in the Alymbek-Datka neighborhood, chatting with programme participants.
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Kyrgyzstan: A warmer New Year's Day for some deserving kids January 4, 2011
A big "RAHMAT" — "thank you" in the Kyrgyz and Uzbek languages — to our donors who helped us respond to the crisis in Kyrgyzstan!
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Kyrgyzstan: The absence of a smile ≠ the absence of warmth October 8, 2010
As Kyrgyzstan's October 10 elections approach, I think about my friends and colleagues over there and hope for their safety. Without a doubt, Kyrgyzstan and its people made an imprint on me, and taught me to challenge my assumptions.
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Kyrgyzstan: The laughter of a child September 7, 2010
When I was briefed at Mercy Corps headquarters just before leaving for Osh this time, a field veteran mentioned an important security indicator to watch for when entering a conflict zone: the presence of children.
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Kyrgyzstan: Friends in the field August 25, 2010
According to the statistic around the world, 95 percent of Mercy Corps team members are nationals of the countries in which they work. Belonging to the other five percent I realize friendships formed with local staff, although inherently transitory, are an invaluable reward of fieldwork.
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Kyrgyzstan: Оценить жизнь (Assessing life) August 20, 2010
My three months in Kyrgyzstan are nearly up! I am incredibly lucky to have been involved with our work here at such a pivotal time. While my duties have morphed as particular needs have arisen, I still recall my first assignment.
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Kyrgyzstan: VIDEO: But you don't have to take MY word for it! August 11, 2010
The decision process that goes into making a charitable contribution is different for each person. Still, most responsible donors have one thing in common — they want to know that their money is being used to help the intended recipients and that the programmes being provided are beneficial.
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Kyrgyzstan: Getting entrepreneurs back on their feet August 10, 2010
Yesterday was a really good day. We approved over 130 “equity grants” (cash disbursements) to micro-entrepreneurs who suffered direct losses. Mostly their businesses or inventories had been burned or looted.
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Kyrgyzstan: A day spent assessing the damage in Osh August 1, 2010
I was feeling the heat by mid-morning in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. I took refuge from the sun under a slice of metal roofing. Less than a minute passed before a firm grip on my forearm gently escorted me away from my prized spot of shade.