Kazakhstan 27 May 2020 (GNP): The U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $2 million dollars to protect migrants in Central Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a humanitarian and financial crisis for millions of migrants in Central Asia. The loss of jobs and remittances has left families without adequate resources and legal protections. Migrants also lack information about how to protect themselves from the virus, as well as the resources to do so.
This support will be delivered through the ongoing USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia project, implemented by Winrock International, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan said on May 26.
Through the Safe Migration in Central Asia project, USAID will deliver much-needed assistance including informational resources; referrals to essential services; alternative livelihoods support; and skills training to help migrants navigate the difficult situation they are facing. The project will also ensure that migrants’ rights are protected through access to legal and psychological support.
The Safe Migration in Central Asia project supports five Central Asian republics with evidence-based practices and cross-border connections to strengthen the mutual accountability and effectiveness of governments, NGOs, and the private sector to prevent trafficking-in-persons (TIP), protect survivors, and promote safe migration.
Before, the US Embassy in Kazakhstan said in a statement on its website on April 30 said that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide $1.68 million in assistance to Kazakhstan that will be used collaboratively with local government agencies to address the most critical needs in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.