Overview
Uzbekistan, a land-locked country of central Asia, shares borders with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The Aral Sea lies to the northwest, and mountains dominate the east.

Uzbekistan has long, hot summers and short, cold winters. Its Karakum and Kizilkum deserts are rich in gold, natural gas, and oil; other natural resources include petroleum, coal, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, and molybdenum.

Uzbeks comprise eighty percent of the population, followed by Russians, Tajiks, Kazaks, Karakalpaks, Tartars, and a small number of Koreans. Russian was the official language until 1990 and is still used in business, government, and cross-border communication, although Uzbek has now been recognized as the official language. Eighty-eight percent of the population is comprised of Muslims, who have the freedom to attend any one of more than 5,000 mosques. Nine percent of Uzbekistan considers themselves Eastern Orthodox Christians.

After 13 years of difficult transition to a democratic society and functioning market economy, Uzbekistan has not been able to meet the international community’s expectation of development standards. This is largely due to unsuccessful implementation of political, economic and social reforms. Additionally, hardcore bureaucracy, widespread corruption, lack of transparency in the field of human rights, and carelessness in bilateral relations with its direct neighbors has contributed to Uzbekistan’s dismal progress of development.

The lack of reliable information in the health-care field misrepresents a potential explosion in HIV/AIDS infections in Uzbekistan. Official figures regarding drug addiction and rate of HIV/AIDS infections are reportedly underrated.

World Vision’s Work
World Vision has initiated and implemented community-based projects in Tashkent city and rural areas, where need is great and humanitarian assistance is sparse. World Vision is concerned with the most vulnerable demographics of Uzbekistan’s society, including children, the disabled, drug addicts and HIV-affected individuals. Programs initiated by World Vision focus on raising public awareness to respond to the needs of the poor, as well as encouraging understanding of and involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention.