The Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration Mr. Kudaibergen Bazarbaev, the Ambassador of Switzerland Mr.Olivier Bangerter, and the WFP Representative and Country Director Mr.Kojiro Nakai visited the Jaiyl Psychoneurological Social Inpatient Institution (SII) on March 28 upon completion of the refurbishment works for the project aimed at improving the living conditions of people residing in targeted SIIs across the country.
With the generous contribution of USD 473,000 from the Government of Switzerland, WFP, in partnership with the Social Protection Department under the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration, completed repair and construction works at the 6 priority SIIs in Chuy, Jalal-Abad, Talas and Batken provinces with worst WASH conditions (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene). In particular, better living conditions in terms of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene have been established and the infrastructure of kitchen facilities have been improved.
In total 1200 residents, receiving social care services at SIIs, which include adult persons with disabilities and the elderly, now have access to proper WASH facilities, as well as balanced and nutritious meals. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy named after I.K. Ahunbaev, WFP enhanced the physiological food norms (daily food rations for vegetables, bread, meat and etc) for all SIIs, which were not revised since 2007.
Previously, the SIIs used the same outdated food norms for adults and children, the project adjusted the norms for children and prepared a more balanced ration (less carbohydrates) for all residents of SIIs. With the updated food norms, a new decree was issued, and accompanying regulation to implement food norms across all SII was developed. Additionally, WFP completed capacity-strengthening activities for cooks and administration of all 16 SIIs in the country under the Ministry of Labour, Social Security, and Migration on enhancing meal preparation and basic nutritional knowledge.