Mission to Dushanbe,Tajikistan

© Umarbek Pulodov. Umarbek Pulodov, a Tajik Ban Advocate, and Sulaiman Safdar together with the group of Tajik campaigners

This mission, divided in two parts, is the result of the collaboration between Umarbek Pulodov, a Tajik Ban Advocate and Sulaiman Safdar, Ban Advocate support staff and executive director of ALSO (Afghan Landmine Survivor Organization) in Afghanistan. The first part of the mission consisted in Sulaiman’s involvement in a Regional Conference on Psychological Support while the second part was intended to reinforce the capacity of Tajik Campaigners in terms of Advocacy and Project Management.

 The Second Regional Psychosocial Support Conference- 19-20 October 2011

The aim of this Conference was twofold firstly, to understand the progress and development made after the first Conference on Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Secondly the aim was to agree on more specific and long term intervention for helping landmine survivors and persons with disabilities to cope and adjust to life challenges through psychological and social support.

 The first day of the conference, opened by Mr. Jonmahmad Rajabov- TMAC (Tajikistan Mine Action Center) Manager-, began with official speeches and then focused on the presentation of the situation of three countries, namely Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran.

On the second day, a field visit in the “Chorbog” rehabilitation center took place during the morning while the afternoon session was dedicated to group discussions aiming to identify the available resources (at human, technical and information levels) in the three identified countries as well as to agree on the supporting and sharing mechanisms.

 Three days training on Advocacy and Project Management for Tajik Campaign to Ban Landmine and Cluster Munitions - 21-24 October 2011

"The aim of the training was to focus on capacity building for Tajik Campaigners in terms of advocacy management, project management, proposal and budget writing as well as report writing. The content of the training I facilitated was mapped out as to combine theoretical approaches with concrete examples from lessons learned by experience.

I hope the Tajik team will put into practice the knowledge they received from this training. ALSO remains committed to continue its relation with the Tajik team"

Sulaiman Safdar Aminy