The Governments of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea, together with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have completed the reconstruction of two schools in Rasht and Tojikobod districts, which were damaged by an earthquake earlier this year. The inauguration ceremony was attended by local officials, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Tajikistan, Jeon Sung Sik, and WFP Representative and Country Director Adham Musallam.
“Immediately after the earthquake, the Government of the Republic of Korea decided to join Tajikistan in this school reconstruction project, which we consider highly meaningful. This initiative reflects Korea’s role as a warm friend and genuine partner of Tajikistan in times of need. I hope that rebuilding these schools will plant seeds of hope in the students of the Rasht region and inspire them to dedicate themselves to their studies and grow into future leaders,” said Ambassador Jeon Sung Sik.
Adham Musallam of WFP added, “Thanks to the support of the people and Government of the Republic of Korea, children in remote areas of the Rasht Valley now have access to quality education, helping to build brighter futures and stronger communities.”
The reconstruction of School No. 56 in Rasht District and School No. 33 in Tojikobod District, funded by the Government of Korea and WFP, will benefit approximately 180 children. As part of the project, new kitchens and canteens were also built to support school feeding activities, integrating education with improved nutrition.
These schools were rebuilt under WFP’s emergency response and school feeding programs. WFP’s School Feeding Programme, the largest of its kind in Tajikistan, reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to the country’s children and their families. Since 1999, WFP has partnered with the Government of Tajikistan to implement school feeding initiatives. In 2025 alone, the programme reached more than 416,000 primary schoolchildren across 1,900 schools in 53 districts and towns.
The Republic of Korea remains a key partner of WFP, providing substantial financial contributions and humanitarian support. Korea’s assistance spans emergency food aid and investments in resilience-building projects that enable communities to recover and thrive, ensuring that education, nutrition, and community development go hand in hand.
