Aga Khan Development Network, Focus Humanitarian Assistance commit over 0.5mln KGS for earthquake survivors’ support

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its affiliate agency Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) have committed over 500,000 soms to the Kyrgyz government in support to the devastating earthquake that rocked Osh oblast of Kyrgyzstan on 5 October, 2008. The decision was jointly made on Friday, October 17, 2008, AKDN communications officer informed the news agency “24.kg”.

In addition to the funds committed by FOCUS, AKDN agencies in Kyrgyzstan have announced a longer-term programme of development in the earthquake affected region. The programme components will include an emergency loan programme, such as the writing off of microcredit loans to the earthquake-affected borrowers of the First Microcredit Company, which is an initiative of the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, as well as the supply of new, low-interest loans for reconstruction and livestock projects as well as additional investments by the Aga Khan Foundation through its local implementing partner, MSDSP-KG, for the long-term development of the earthquake affected areas in Alai and Chong Alai districts in rural development, education, and health.

Also in support of earthquake victims, the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), of which Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development is the lead shareholder, has committed to donate 1 million soms for construction of temporary dwelling houses for the earthquake victims.