Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.
 

Status update — January 11, 2018
Kiva recently re-assessed the level of risk associated with loans from this Lending Partner. During this process, our analysts gathered updated operational and financial information about the institution, spoke with key members of the staff and analyzed the Lending Partner’s loan products. As a result, Humo's risk rating is now listed as 3 stars instead of 4 stars. The primary reasons for this change in rating are the risky economic environment in Tajikistan and some liquidity shortages seen in 2016 that have now been resolved.

Partner description:

MDO "Humo" is a microfinance institution in Tajikistan that aims to support vulnerable and underserved populations living in rural areas through financial and consulting services for small businesses.

The organization provides micro-credit loans to groups and individuals to help fund start-up businesses, enhance asset turnover, finance agricultureal projects, and make processing and trade of agricultural products more affordable. Humo strives to makes sure all clients receive high-quality service, honesty, transparency and quick responses from staff no matter how large or small their businesses may be. New borrowers can typically access funds within three to seven days.

Currently, Humo has 20 branches and 41 sub-offices throughout Tajikistan, covering 25 regions, including many rural areas where no other viable financial services exist. As of December 2015, the organization served over 40,000 active clients with a total portfolio of US$30 million.

Humo was founded in 2004 by NGO Care Tajikistan as a non-commercial social fund. It aimed to increase economic opportunities and the standard of living for the poor in socially unprotected sectors of the community.

Since 2007, the organization has worked closely with Kiva to ensure that funds are distributed to poor and low-income clients. Funds provided by Kiva lenders have already been disbursed to thousands of Humo clients and will continue to provide thousands more with permanent access to the financial services they need.

Microfinance services are especially important in Tajikistan, which lacks developed infrastructure and industries. The country’s economy has been supported largely by remittances sent by migrant Tajik workers who find employment in Russia. However, with the world economic crisis, these jobs are becoming harder and harder to find. Access to micro-credit is vital for more people to start and grow businesses and increase employment in their own communities.

Tajikistan became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has been working to strengthen its economy since its civil war, which lasted from 1992 to 1997. The war, which claimed 50,000 lives, turned the remote mountain republic into the bloodiest corner of the former Soviet empire. As a result, the country remains the poorest in the region, with over two-thirds of the population living in poverty.

Organization values

Humo lists its values as the following:

Meeting client expectations: Understanding the ongoing needs of clients and offering solutions to help develop and grow their enterprises.

Social responsibility: Understanding the responsibility to conduct activities in a socially-minded and financially viable way.

Transparency: To remain an open and transparent organization, always welcoming constructive feedback from clients, partners, government bodies and others.

Effectiveness and focus on results: Helping employees reach their maximum potential by offering both financial and non-financial incentives.

Corporate culture: Ensuring that employees and staff have a vested interest in the success of the organization and its clients.