The Kyrgyz Republic’s Batken region, located in the country’s southwest and bordering both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is celebrated for its mountainous landscapes and rich cultural diversity. However, this remote area remains underdeveloped and has faced significant challenges, particularly following conflict along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in September 2022, which claimed dozens of lives and caused damage, destruction, and closure of public infrastructure like schools, kindergartens, and health clinics. This significantly impacted local children and families, disrupting learning and access to medical checkups and inoculations—a blow to the Batken region’s human capital and economic prosperity.
At the request of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, in November 2022, the World Bank redeployed $10 million in International Development Association (IDA) financing from an existing project, the Second Regional Development Project, to restore and improve vital public education and healthcare services in affected towns and villages along the border.
Within nine months, the project constructed seven new schools, a kindergarten, and two health facilities while also reconstructing three additional schools and two village health centers. These new and renovated facilities are allowing children to go back to school and get essential pediatric care, which is crucial for the Batken region’s long-term human capital development. Moreover, this investment in these rural communities will raise living standards and reduce regional disparities and inequalities.
“The Batken Regional Economic Development project and its emergency response component is essential for restoring and enhancing the vital services our communities need. By ensuring that the Batken region receives the support it deserves, we are taking important steps to raise living standards of the people and make sure that no one is left behind,” says Abdikarim Alimbayev, Governor of Batken Region.
Central to reconstructing these schools and health centers was the principle of "build back better," ensuring that new and restored facilities not only replaced what was lost but also provided significant improvements to be safer, more inclusive, and expand education and medical services available in remote areas. This approach guided the government to restore access to public services while raising Batken’s education and healthcare standards.
Key upgrades included:
- Installing indoor toilets in schools and kindergartens.
- Procuring modern kitchen appliances like ovens.
- Incorporating ramps for accessibility.
- Outfitting schools with new furniture.
- Enhancing energy efficiency.
- Providing healthcare centers with new equipment.
The new state-of-the-art secondary school in Ak-Sai village has quickly become a favorite among students with its new computer lab.
The reconstructed health center in Kapchygai village is now equipped with a dental exam room. Ainura Zhetimish kyzy, a nurse at this facility stated: "There was no running water or hot water before... Now everything has been properly installed."
Key for the region’s future is ensuring these investments are resilient to natural hazards. Basalt fiber insulation, new heating systems adhering to seismic safety standards make these facilities more welcoming during harsh winters. Reconstruction efforts have also sought to ensure new facilities are more energy efficient by replacing coal-burning heating systems with electric ones.
The Second Regional Development Project exemplifies how IDA can support countries’ recovery post-conflict. The new schools have not only replaced what was lost but also helped restore normalcy for residents. Implemented by ARIS (Community Development Investment Agency), this project marks a significant step toward improving quality of life after crisis—paving way for a brighter future for Batken.