Nutrition situation
Under five stunting (%)
17.5
Under five overweight (%)
3.3
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%)
30.5
Under five wasting (%)
5.6
Low birth weight (%)
5.6
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%)
35.8
Adolescent overweight (%)
Male: 13.1
/ Female: 14.7
Adult overweight (%)
Male: 44.2
/ Female: 46.3
Adult obesity (%)
Male: 11.6
/ Female: 16.7
Adult diabetes (%)
Male: 10.3
/ Female: 9.9
COVID-19 snapshot
The pandemic’s cost is USD 1.6 billion and rising. Movement restrictions, food insecurity, strained health systems and falling income impacted malnutrition of children, pregnant and lactating women and the elderly the most. A range of national plans will help mitigate the impact and underpin recovery.
Institutional transformations 2019-2020
Bringing people together into a shared space for action
Multisectoral Coordinating Council (MSCC) meet quarterly. MSCC membership expanded from 20 to 43, with new members coming from urban water supply, national civil society, health promotion organisations and international NGOs. MSCC worked on a joint 2021–2025 action plan for the implementation of the multisectoral plan to improve nutrition in the Republic of Tajikistan.Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework
Legislation was adopted on the provision of fortified basic food items to the population. The National Communication Programme for the “First 1000 days of a child’s life for the period 2020–2024” was officially approved by the Government, as was a three-year wasting reduction plan. The Multisectoral Plan to Improve Nutrition Status 2021–2025 is under review and will be submitted for Government approval by end November 2020.Aligning actions around common results
The MSCC developed a joint National Communication Programme for the “First 1000 days of a child’s life for the period 2020–2024”. The Common Results Framework, including action and finance plans, was finalised and submitted for Government approval. A joint action plan was developed by the MSCC, for the TV and Radio Committee to conduct awareness-raising campaigns.Financial tracking and resource mobilisation
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Finance extended their cooperation to improve the budget allocation process. With the support of development partners, the national SUN coordination committee used the Optima Nutrition tool to optimise current budget allocations and advocate for a budget increase. The final optimised budget and budget allocation should be completed by end 2020.2020-2021 Priorities
- Obtain government approval to start implementation of the Multisectoral Plan to Improve Nutrition Status 2021–2025.
- Continue expanding the Multisectoral Coordinating Council and create regional MSCCs.
- Hold a 5th National Nutrition Forum.
- Set up a national Coordinating Committee for the implementation of the National Communication Programme “First 1000 days of a child’s life for the period 2020–2024” as well as regional and local steering committees.
- Develop a school feeding programme for 2021–2027.