Turkmenistan, like many other countries, has had their work cut out for them in their goal to end poverty and support the welfare of its citizens. Currently, 2.15% of the working population still lives on less than $2.15 a day and 46.95% live on less than $6.85, causing these people to face food insecurity and inadequate healthcare. While the government and foreign aid from other nations do their part in supporting the minorities and impoverished peoples in the country, various charities work directly in Turkmenistan to provide immediate support to those who need it. Here are five charities operating in Turkmenistan currently doing their part to help the country’s citizens.

1. The Anzal Begum Foundation

When considering all the things needed to provide direct poverty relief, the Anzal Begum Foundation helps provide the citizens of Turkmenistan support for almost all of these basic needs. Not only does it work to make sure every citizen has access to food support and clean water, but it also works to provide disaster relief, orphan care and eco-friendly power sources. The foundation originated in 2013 in memory of Anzal Begum, someone who by herself would work to help whoever she could whenever she could. Located in the United Kingdom, the Anzal Begum Foundation now serves 47 countries across Asia and Africa.

2. The Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for EMEA

The newest of these five charities operating in Turkmenistan, the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for Europe, the Middle East and Africa was founded in 2024. This foundation focuses specifically on education and environmental conservation. Currently, Turkmenistan has a very high education rate with 97% of their population completing upper secondary school. Despite this, a semi-large portion of students are unable to meet their foundational reading and numeracy skills, especially in the Balkan and Lebap velayats, and only 35% of youth have at least one ICT skill (Information and Communication Technology). This charity’s goal is to provide equal education to everyone, especially youth, while also providing education and technology for citizens to support their own eco-friendly environment. Some of its main projects right now involve protecting rainforests around Africa and Asia, creating and utilizing their ‘green schools’ to educate students on eco-friendliness and promoting sustainable water reuse.

3. Hesperian Health Guides

Hesperian Health Guides is one of the most widespread charities in the world right now, with it now having reached more than 220 countries and territories. Founded in 1973, Hesperian Health Guides’ goal is to provide everyone with the medical education needed to help themselves and their community. Digital resources like A Community Guide to Environmental Health are translated into Turkmen, and the charity works directly with AFEW International and its website Saglyk.org to translate and provide additional healthcare information. Saglyk.org now has more than 2,000 accessible resources and is one of the most read Turkmen websites.

4. Support Center of Disabled People of Turkmenistan

Located directly in the country, the Support Center of Disabled People of Turkmenistan focuses on supporting and rehabilitating disabled athletes of all ages. It protects the rights, interests and social support of these athletes while also providing them with opportunities such as powerlifting tournaments. Since its founding in 2004, the charity has provided education and agricultural training, including with the building of a new greenhouse in 2019, along with its creation of training camps, a gym with modern exercise machines and an esports club. Its center now has around 330 members with access to the facilities and training.

5. The Bearr Trust

The Bearr Trust is an advocacy charity supporting health and social welfare in 12 countries across eastern Europe and western Asia. Its main focuses are supporting rights for women, disabled peoples, elderly, mental health, and socially isolated groups. Founded in 1991, it has supported almost 200 projects and disbursed €500,000 in grants to organizations looking to help reform health and social sectors while also lobbying on the behalf of these organizations too. One of these recent supported projects is Turkmenistan’s goal to improve their healthcare system by providing modern equipment to 46 clinical laboratories, continue production of medicines for non-communicable disease and building three new medical centers.

Looking Ahead

Despite laws that have made it difficult for NGOs, especially foreign ones, to help, these five charities operating in Turkmenistan continue to accomplish as much as they can in this country, leading the way for further poverty reduction and improved quality of life for its citizens.

– Ally Jones

Ally Jones is based in Bethany, OK, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons