In a significant step toward enhancing Turkmenistan’s preparedness for crisis response, UNICEF and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population jointly hosted a five-day workshop focused on emergency cash transfers. The initiative, held from April 22nd to 29th, brought together key government stakeholders to strengthen national capacities to respond to emergencies through an adaptive and resilient social protection system, enabling the country to deliver assistance to families and children in need.
With support from Regional Nor Cap experts (Norwegian Capacity Program) at the workshop, participants explored the role of emergency cash assistance as a complementary tool for humanitarian response and early recovery and reviewed the stages of the cash assistance cycle. The sessions also discussed mechanisms for delivering assistance through national systems and examined factors affecting their efficiency. The training placed a special focus on designing and implementing cash programs adapted to the local context.
Through a series of interactive training sessions and a hands-on simulation exercise tailored to Turkmenistan’s context, participants navigated real-life emergency scenarios, testing their skills in designing and delivering cash support to those in need. Insights shared during the simulations helped to draft a National Plan—an important step toward building a more agile, inclusive, and crisis-ready social protection system for the country.
Background
This training builds on regional and national initiatives started in 2023 to enhance shock-responsive social protection systems across Central Asia. It brought together representatives from key ministries, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, the Ministry of Defense Civil Rescue Operations Department, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, and the Ministry of Education, and the banking sector, including the Central Bank of Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Bank, and Dayhanbank, as well as the National Red Crescent Society.
UNICEF remains committed to continuing to work with the Government of Turkmenistan to create strong, inclusive systems that protect children and families when they need it most.
