The support was provided in the framework of the Public Service Improvement Project, which is financed by the Swiss Government and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan and the Development Policy Institute.

The grant aid covers the following three components:

1. 4 100 000 KGS – financial support  for 26 local service providers;
2. 439400 KGS – support to purchase personal protective equipment for the municipalities and service providers 
3. 1 270 000 KGS – support to  municipalities in conducting the information campaigns

The financial aid for the service providers is allocated as subsidies through the local budgets. These subsidies will partially compensate the lack of providers’ regular income in the II-III quarters of 2020 due to difficult economic situation caused by the COVID crisis. The financial support will be used to cover the urgent expenses incurred by the local service providers (waste collection, drinking water) in the mentioned period.

To prevent the further spread of the virus and to protect the employees and local service providers in the municipalities, the project purchased 260 sets of PPE, including reusable protective suits, glasses, face shields and three layer medical masks.

The project also allocates funds for campaigns. It raises awareness on the importance of preventive hygiene measures and the important role of the local service providers in the prevention of the epidemic spreadingIt also appeals to citizens’ sense of  social responsibility related to the due bill payments for the delivered services in order to keep the providers and services sustinable and continue to receive them.

The Swiss grant program helps the targeted municipalities in the two regions to support local service providers and prevent their bankruptcy along with service suspension at the local level. 

The allocated funds were used to provide basic food and hygiene products for the vulnerable groups of population in partner municipalities, including people who have lost their source of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has put thousands of people at risk, especially vulnerable groups, large families, and those left without income sources. That is why the help from the Public Service Improvement project is very timely and necessary,” said Akmoldoev Baktybek, Head of the Oktyabr municipality of the Aksuu district.

The representatives of local self-governments, together with district departments for social protection, prepared the lists of families who are the most in need of assistance and a list of necessary essential products. In order to ensure a safe distribution, the local governments are cooperating with local health committees and other organizations

“We are a large family with five children. Because of the coronavirus, my husband does not have a job right now, and therefore we were in urgent need for food. We express our deep gratitude on behalf of our family to our Ayil-Okmotu, the Swiss Government and Swiss project for the provided support,” said Nurzat Tologonova, a resident of Maman village of Aksuu district.

Municipalities engaged at the frontlines continue to provide support to the population and are making significant efforts to prevent further spreading of COVID-19 coronavirus.

The Public Service Improvement project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan and Development Policy Institute.

The Public Service Improvement project improves living conditions of people in rural areas through improved quality of and access to public services provided by municipalities.