Pamir, Tajikistan COVID-19 Fundraiser
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Ya Ali Madad. I am a Canadian who has been working and living in Dushanbe, Tajikistan for the past 3 years. The economic impact COVID-19 has had on families in Tajikistan, especially in Pamir (Badakhshan) where most of the Ismaili Jamat resides, is extremely apparent.
People are not only suffering from COVID-19, but sustaining a basic standard of living is difficult. Along with this pandemic, the Jamat in Tajikistan is facing other economic issues:
· Increase in food prices : the cost for staple food items (potatoes, onions, carrots etc.) has increased since January 2020
· Decrease in Russian remittances : Tajikistan’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances, mainly from Russia. Due to COVID-19, many migrant workers in Russia have lost their job and therefore don’t have money to send to support their family in Tajikistan.
· No tourism: thousands of tourists come visit the magnificent Pamir Mountains each summer. With the international airport being closed since March 2020, family owned hostels, guesthouses, guides and drivers in Pamir don’t have a source of income.
During these difficult times, I kindly ask you to help support our fellow Brothers and Sisters living in Pamir. Any donation would be greatly appreciated by the families. I will personally be going to Pamir next month and will work with a group of local volunteers to disburse the money collected to the most vulnerable families.
About Me: I have been working at a leading financial institution in Dushanbe, Tajikistan for the past 3 years. I have been fortunate to travel to very remote areas of the country (Khorog, Rushan, Ishkashim, Roshtkala, Murghab) and have seen the daily struggles people living in these areas face and at the same time have experienced the best hospitality. Tajikistan has become my second home and I’m trying to do my part to help during this crisis.
Photo: Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Khorog, Tajikistan (August 2019, Meera Haji)
People are not only suffering from COVID-19, but sustaining a basic standard of living is difficult. Along with this pandemic, the Jamat in Tajikistan is facing other economic issues:
· Increase in food prices : the cost for staple food items (potatoes, onions, carrots etc.) has increased since January 2020
· Decrease in Russian remittances : Tajikistan’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances, mainly from Russia. Due to COVID-19, many migrant workers in Russia have lost their job and therefore don’t have money to send to support their family in Tajikistan.
· No tourism: thousands of tourists come visit the magnificent Pamir Mountains each summer. With the international airport being closed since March 2020, family owned hostels, guesthouses, guides and drivers in Pamir don’t have a source of income.
During these difficult times, I kindly ask you to help support our fellow Brothers and Sisters living in Pamir. Any donation would be greatly appreciated by the families. I will personally be going to Pamir next month and will work with a group of local volunteers to disburse the money collected to the most vulnerable families.
About Me: I have been working at a leading financial institution in Dushanbe, Tajikistan for the past 3 years. I have been fortunate to travel to very remote areas of the country (Khorog, Rushan, Ishkashim, Roshtkala, Murghab) and have seen the daily struggles people living in these areas face and at the same time have experienced the best hospitality. Tajikistan has become my second home and I’m trying to do my part to help during this crisis.
Photo: Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Khorog, Tajikistan (August 2019, Meera Haji)
Organizer
Meera Haji
Organizer
Unionville, ON