USAID Works in Zabul Province, Afghanistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) estimated support for Zabul Province in Afghanistan from January 2002-September 2008 is $140.7 million. With this assistance, USAID has supported the province in the following areas:
INFRASTRUCTURE
The infrastructure program constructs road, water, and energy networks; builds the capacity of local workers; and invests in the local economy by using locally available materials. Through this effort, USAID provided 24,000 people with access to electricity in Qalat, improved 170 km of the Kabul-Kandahar Road, shortening travel time, improving economic opportunities and providing access to health services and educational institutions, constructed or refurbished 65 wells to increase access to water supply, improving the health of people, livestock, and crops and constructed the 1.3-km Qalat District Center Road, facilitating ease of transportation.
ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE
USAID prepares farmers to participate in a modern agricultural economy through distribution of seeds and fertilizer, improved irrigation, and training. For example, training to 30 farmers and five traders to improve dried apricot production resulted in more than 87 metric tons of high-quality dried apricots. USAID also sponsors livestock management and gender-focused programs to increase capacity for licit agricultural activity. Currently, USAID is establishing one private, full-service AgDepot farm store that will provide agriculture supplies and services to support key licit crops and animal health.
DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
USAID supports democracy and governance in Zabul through legislative strengthening, electoral support, justice sector reform, media, and civil society development. For example, USAID helped to establish the Zabul Provincial Department of Women's Affairs to raise women's status in society and supported voter registration for the upcoming 2009 presidential and provincial council elections. USAID advisors are working to provide better and safer schools for the children of Zabul by improving the performance of educational leaders through mentoring and training. USAID is also contributing to more effective and transparent leadership by providing training to the provincial council and the provincial municipality, which improves professionalism, knowledge, and skills.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
USAID promotes economic development in Zabul through expanding access to telecommunications and modern banking services by helping to install two District Communications Network centers that provide telephones, Internet, and photocopying services to both the district government officials.
EDUCATION
USAID has invested in Zabul through nationwide education programs including textbook printing, school construction/refurbishment, and training. USAID has constructed one school, supported five community-based school classes, and provided radio-based teacher training to improve teachers' skills and performance in the classroom. Currently, USAID is constructing a Teacher Training College to build a corps of professional teachers able to provide quality education to Zabul's children.
HEALTH
Zabul province benefits from many of USAID's key investments in nationwide programs. Right now, USAID is supporting social marketing of health and family planning products, such as contraceptives, water purification agents, and oral rehydration salts, for sale through the private sector. USAID is also supporting the national Polio Eradication Initiative; funding the Diseases Early Warning System for Avian Influenza and other infectious diseases, and providing technical support to build the effectiveness of the National TB Program.
PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM (PRT)
The PRT program in Zabul focuses on training, infrastructure projects, and community development involving local residents in the decision-making process. Currently, USAID is providing training to civil service personnel, enhancing their management and administrative capacity. Government facilities and meeting spaces are being rehabilitated to enable government officials to work in a professional environment. Agriculture demonstration plots are being created and Agriculture Department staff are being trained to support farmers in implementing improved agricultural production techniques. Irrigation and water systems are being rehabilitated to increase access to irrigation and safe drinking water.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
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