WORK BEGINS IMMEDIATELY FOR NEXT U.S. PRESIDENT AND HIS TEAM

Barack Obama will not take the oath of office until January 20, 2009, but work to address the many challenges that await him in the presidency begins immediately. As campaign staffs across the country clean out their offices, a transition team begins its work to ensure the Obama administration is ready to handle the major foreign policy and economic challenges facing the United States. more in English / Russian

OPENING OF FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER IN PANJAKENT

On November 4, Necia Quast, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission, Panjakent Mayor Khisrav Abdunazarov and Deputy Minister of Health Sohib Rahmonov opened the third Family Medicine Center of Excellence in Panjakent, Sughd Oblast, to provide modern, expert medical care to oblast residents.  The Center was collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the United States Agency for International Development ZdravPlus Project, the Sughd Oblast Health Department and the Panjakent Hukumat. press release

U.S. GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO AVERT FOOD CRISIS IN TAJIKISTAN

As part of United States Government efforts to avert a food crisis in Tajikistan, on October 31 Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson participated in the distribution of wheat seed to disadvantaged communities of Shahrituz district of Khatlon province and members of the Water User Associations.  During the distribution, Ambassador Jacobson said, “the United States Government is very much aware of the effect that the global food crisis is having in Tajikistan, as well as other parts of the developing world.  The wheat seed program is part of a $6 million special assistance package offered by the United States to help Tajik families through the coming winter and ensure a better harvest next fall. more

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR TAJIKISTAN

Deputy Chief of Mission Necia Quast, Deputy Minister of Health Azamjon Mirzoev, and Sayolim Talbov, the head doctor at Dushanbe's Municipal Clinical Infectious Hospital met at the hospital to receive medicines valued at $1,190,460 and donated by private pharmaceutical companies.  Project HOPE facilitated delivery.  The medicines were on board an October 30 charter flight with $13,294,628 of donated medical products to help address current needs, ensure treatment throughout the winter, and prevent the spread of diseases in spring. more

REGISTRATION FOR 2010 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY PROGRAM

Entries for the DV-2010 Diversity Visa lottery must be submitted electronically between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Thursday, October 2, 2008, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, December 1, 2008.  Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. more in english / in russian