Joint Pilot Initiative in Sistan-Baluchistan

Iran's Human Development Report of 1999 attributed the lowest human development indicators in the country to the province of Sistan-Baluchestan. In this area of southeastern Iran, extreme poverty is three times the national average. Recurring drought, illicit drug trafficking and a large Afghan refugee population are just some of the problems faced by the province.

Following the publication of the Report, the UN Country Team established an integrated inter-agency programme in Sistan-Baluchestan to pursue sustainable human development capacity building and empowerment. Through the initiative, UN Agencies in close collaboration with the local Government and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), worked to improve the access of 400 in Shirabad and Bent, two of the province's poorest communities, to food, water, health services, education and steady employment. As a result of inter-agency efforts, local communities launched a number of self-supporting initiatives on their own. Through the programme, the country team acquired an improved understanding of development problems in Sistan-Baluchistan. This knowledge has enabled agencies to inject appropriate programmatic approaches into their individual projects in the area.

The programme was closed in March 2003 and preparations are being made to evaluate its successes and establish the lessons learnt. It is hoped that the experience gained will provide a solid basis for all future inter-agency collaboration. For more information about the programme please contact the Resident Coordinator's Office at rc.office.iran@undp.org