Country Description:

Following independence in 1991, Tajikistan faced a series of crises. Separation from the Soviet Union caused an immediate economic collapse. Non-inclusion in the ruble zone caused a cash crisis that was exacerbated when Russia delayed payments on shipments of cotton because of Tajik debts to Russia. A civil war in 1992-93 resulted in significant loss of life and property and left close to 500,000 people homeless. The government of Tajikistan and the opposition have signed a peace accord, and the expectations are that political tensions will slowly diminish. As a result, CARE has implemented rehabilitation projects to address some of the most serious effects of the six-year crisis.