Baku – Today (12/06) in Baku, IOM and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) formally begin a new humanitarian initiative in Azerbaijan.

The new project, “Integrated Rural Development for internally displaced persons (IDP) Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of the Kahriz Water Supply System,” focuses on improving the water supply in rural areas through the renovation of over 40 kahrizes – a man-made, centuries-old, traditional water-supply system that does not need electricity or fossil fuel to function. This water-supply method ensures the protection of biodiversity and contributes to local communities’ quality of life.

“The project will run over four years (2018-2022), with a budget of USD 4,420,000, and aims to increase livelihood opportunities and access of rural communities to water resources,” said Serhan Aktoprak, IOM Azerbaijan Chief of Mission.

It will cover the areas of Aghdam, Aghjabadi, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Gazakh, Ghoranboy, Goygol, which are highly populated by internally displaced person. According to Government numbers, a total of 195,947 displaced people reside in these eight areas.

In addition to the renovating the kahrizes, the project has components that involve capacity building, business development and a strong engagement with academia.

The project will ultimately contribute to Azerbaijan’s efforts to fulfill three Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through: the provision of water for domestic and agricultural needs which has a direct impact on poverty reduction and food security (SDG 1), empowering and involving women into decision making process, increasing their role in the community in terms of leadership (SDG 5), and the rehabilitation of eco-friendly and sustainable water supply systems, kahrizes and enhanced access to safe drinking water (SDG 6).

“With the completion of the revitalization of the Kahriz Water Supply System, over 28,000 IDPs will enjoy access to clean water and improve their standard of living”, said Park Kumok, Country Director of KOICA Azerbaijan.

The project documents were signed by Ms. Kumok and IOM Azerbaijan Chief of Mission Aktoprak. Several representatives from the relevant Government agencies were in attendance; namely the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a key project partner.

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For more information, please contact Mushfig Eminov at IOM Azerbaijan, Tel: +994 12 465 9071, Email: meminov@iom.int