Central Asia

Azerbaijan

• Population: 8,238,672

• GDP Per Capita: $9,000

• Official language: Azerbaijani (Azeri)

• Capital City: Baku

Azerbaijan’s economy has benefited in recent years from its rich oil resources, but the benefits have yet to reach the whole population. 42.5% of the population still live in poverty and between 14-20% are unemployed. Azerbaijan faces a challenge to develop new markets and move away from an economy completely dependent on oil.

Our Response

In 2008 we began to deliver shoeboxes to Azerbaijan and in our first year, through the help of our local partners, we delivered around 9,000 boxes to grateful children.

Kyrgyzstan

• Population: 5,431,747

• GDP Per Capita: $2,100

• Official languages: Kyrgyz, Russian

• Capital City: Bishkek

Part of the former Soviet Union until 1991, Kyrgyzstan's GDP shrank by as much as 54% since then and the average wage is just $3-4, with 21% living on less than $2 a day. Though there has been recent signs of development, a high percentage of the population still live in poverty.

Our Response

We have recently begun working with partners in Kyrgyzstan to explore how best to respond to the needs of the local people. In 2007 and 2008 a total of 178,246 gift-filled shoeboxes were sent to children in Kyrgyzstan.