Although formal remittance outflows from Russia to CIS countries contracted by 31 per cent in the first quarter of 2009, latest data indicate that remittance inflows to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 2010 are almost back to 2008 levels (World Bank 2011). The idiosyncratic component19 of the shock is reflected in that not all families are affected equally. Some are better able to protect their living standard than others. In the event of a shock, households refer to various coping strategies.