Children from the mountain village of Sangchashma in Tajikistan gather at one of the new water sources installed by the Tajikistan Red Crescent, with support of the IFRC and the Japan Red Cross Society.
Children from the mountain village of Sangchashma in Tajikistan gather at one of the new water sources installed by the Tajikistan Red Crescent, with support of the IFRC and the Japan Red Cross Society.
Children from the mountain village of Sangchashma in Tajikistan gather at one of the new water sources installed by the Tajikistan Red Crescent, with support of the IFRC and the Japan Red Cross Society.
Photo: Tajikistan Red Crescent Society
"The situation was particularly challenging ... We had to bring water from glacial melt water in the mountains, located 3,000 meters above sea level and 10 kilometres away from the village."
Dr. Saadi Izatov, Head of the Health Department at the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan
In the shadow of Tajikistan's towering mountains, a daily struggle plays out for the people who call these remote villages home. Families with sufficient economic status, purchase water for their needs.
Other families, for whom the economic burden does not allow for permanent water storage, are forced to trek for hours across rugged terrain to collect water from distant glacial streams and springs. It’s an exhausting routine that defines life in communities like Sangchashma and Nilu.
This reality reflects a startling paradox: while Tajikistan holds 60 per cent of Central Asia's water resources, it faces the region's most severe challenges to water access – with nearly half its population lacking safely managed water.
The villagers had either to collect water from the mountains or pay for the water brought by water tankers, which was a big financial burden for low-income families in these remote villages of the Hisor district. The 7-to-10-kilometer journey to collect water wasn’t just inconvenient - it was a fundamental barrier to development.
Children missed school, productivity suffered, and waterborne diseases threatened public health.
“Often, when we ran out of water, my sons had to get water from a spring, which is very far away,” explains Ms. Adolat Sharifova, a resident of Sangchashma village. “Because of this, they could not go to school on such days. Buying water is an impossible burden for our family.”
From glacier to village
These are some of the reasons the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST), with support from the Japanese Red Cross Society and the IFRC, embarked on an ambitious project to change this reality.
The project aimed not just to provide water infrastructure to Sangchashma, but to build community resilience and ensure access to clean water would be sustainable over the long term.
For Sangchashma village, this meant laying an extensive network of heavy-duty water pipes across steep mountain terrain in order to reach the water’s source: high altitidue mountain glaciers.
"The situation was particularly challenging in Sangchashma village," explains Dr. Saadi Izatov, Head of Health Department at RCST. "We had to bring water from glacial melt water in the mountains, located at 3,000 meters above sea level and 10 kilometres away from the village."
Rugged terrain was not the only challenge. In May 2024, unexpected mudflows rushed down local gullies and streams, severely damaged the initial construction work, requiring repairs. The mudflows highlighted another ongoing challenge: the impacts of climate change as warm weather melts glaciers at a more rapid pace, making soil less stable and susceptible to rapid erosion. This degradation of the terrain can lead to occasisonal, sudden torrents of mud and water.
Despite the technical challenges, the project has transformed life for over 3,400 residents. In Sangchashma village, 300 households now have access to clean water, and importantly, the local primary school with 520 students and the village mosque are now connected to the water supply.
In Nilu village, 225 households benefit from a new water system that brings spring water from 7 kilometres away. In addition, 25 water-distribution points were installed across the two villages, with special consideration for households with disabled family members.
“Now the situation has changed,” says Adolat Sharifova. *“We have water all day around. What you have done is you have given water to the people, and I cannot express words of my gratitude.*”
Locally led, community driven
Project managers say its success lies in its community-driven approach. Local authorities and community members contributed their labor and resources, covering up to 30 per cent of the construction costs.
The local water department in Hisor district played a crucial role by providing technical expertise in the design of the water piping systems.
Meanwhile, 44 volunteers were trained in hygiene promotion and disease prevention, and local water committees were established in both villages to maintain the water structures together with the local water department.
The IFRC’s approach to WASH
Similar stories are unfolding around the world as the IFRC network and its partners engage with communities to find locally driven solutions that are participatory and community-led.
"Access to clean water is fundamental to health, dignity, and development," explains Oyungerel Amgaa, the Regional Health and Care Manager for the IFRC, based in Bishkek, Tajikistan. "That's why our National Societies work closely with communities to build systems that last long after project completion, with local water committees ensuring sustainable management."
The IFRC approach focuses on four key principles: dignity, access, participation, and safety. This means ensuring that:
Everyone has reliable access to clean water they can use for drinking, cooking, and hygiene
Water and sanitation systems are designed to withstand environmental challenges and climate impacts
Communities are actively involved in decisions about their water and sanitation infrastructure
Special attention is given to the most vulnerable community members, including those with disabilities
As climate change continues to impact water and sanitation services globally, the IFRC has renewed its commitment to innovative, community-led solutions.
Learn more about the IFRC’s work in water, sanitation and hygiene:
IFRC water, sanitation and hygiene webpage
IFRC Water and Sanitation resources for WASH practitioners