The Steering Committee of the UN-sponsored Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region (MPHSTF) approved funding for 3 projects totaling over USD 6 million in the 'Youth, Innovation, And Health' area during the second call for proposals.

The evaluation commission involving independent experts preliminarily reviewed these proposals. The experts include government officials, UN staff, an independent expert, and a member of the MPHSTF technical secretariat. After consideration, the proposals were recognized as acceptable for the Trust Fund, as well as duly approved.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will implement the first project, i.e. 'Investing in a sustainable future of Karakalpakstan by engaging the talented youth and improving the quality of water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition during and after COVID-19'. The project aims to improve the health and nutrition of vulnerable populations, including 5,000 children and adolescents. Ten thousand girls aged 10-17 will receive micronutrients. Also, it is planned to improve health infrastructure in 15 schools in three districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan - Muinak, Kungrad and Bozataus.

Annually, the project will cover more than 181 thousand people who will get improved access to quality health care. In particular, 20 primary healthcare facilities will improve the water supply and sanitation infrastructure. Besides, 520 young people will expand their knowledge and skills through advanced education programs.

The second project, i.e. 'Promoting the creative and innovative potential of youth and vulnerable population by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the problems of economic and food security in vulnerable settlements of the Aral Sea region' will involve the the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This program will cover approximately 1,500 representatives of rural youth and women. In particular, it provides initiatives to support youth start-up projects and business ideas. This program will empower 300 women and young people to adopt new agricultural practices and create employment for 75 people through the establishment of agricultural cooperatives and 9 demonstration sites. Finally, 120 students and 300 young people will improve their professional potential in information and communication technologies through initiatives, platforms and social infrastructure projects in digitalization.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the World Health Organization will implement the third project 'Towards universal health and safety coverage in Karakalpakstan'. There will be a health needs assessment with a view to the population of Muynak district in order to inform on future investments in health facilities, medical equipment and human resources. This project will provide consideration of a broader aspect of public safety in the region, including water, energy and road infrastructure.

The main donors (MPHSTF) are the governments of the European Union, Finland, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

For reference: On November 27, 2018, the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan was launched at the UN Head Quarters in New York. On January 8, 2019, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the Resolution on Measures to Support the UN-sponsored Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region, which provided a number of measures to create a favorable institutional, legal and financial environment to ensure the effective operation of the Fund. See the detailed information on the UN MPHSTF on the official website: http://www.aral.mptf.uz/