Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan

Hometown: Bagram Air Field, , AF

Ahmed Kheyl district makes development strides

10.18.2012 | PAKTIYA PROVINCE, AF
Story by Sgt. 1st Class FAITH KAWGDOO

PAKTIYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – District development representatives and provincial line directors throughout Paktiya province met at the Gardez District Center to talk about initiatives and concerns, Oct. 17.

The Provincial Development Council meets on a monthly basis and gives representatives and line directors a chance to collaborate with their peers and voice concerns from their respective areas to the provincial governor.

“Today we talked about the challenges, development projects and new projects for the next year,” said Haji Hidar, Ahmed Kheyl district development leader. “Each district talked about their individual projects and new development plans that they would like to push to provincial level.”

Hidar has been the development leader in Ahmed Kheyl district for two years and says development has been slow; however, recent security gains from the establishment of an Afghan Local Police program and a recent coalition forces presence has placed new emphasis on development initiatives.

Most of what Hidar asked for at the provincial-level meeting are considered small immersion projects. The initiatives are relatively low budget projects that have immediate and high pay off for the villagers.

“We built a clinic in Ahmed Kheyl,” said Hidar. “It’s been six months and we still don’t have supplies for the clinic. The clinic is just a building without a function. Also, there are more than 1,600 students in Ahmed Kheyl district and they do not have a school.”

Hidar further explained flooding is a big concern for the farmers as their crops are the primary source of revenue in the district.

“The third challenge we face in Ahmed Kheyl is the flood. The flooding comes from the hills and valley and washes away our crops,” said Hidar. “We need urgent retaining walls to prevent the flooding. The only resources the villagers have are their land and farm fields so if the flood washes it away, they will not have any means to live or eat.”

Each concern or initiative brought up to the PGOV was met with careful consideration and a note for future conversation. Villagers putting their faith in their sub-national government is a significant step forward and sets precedence for future projects.

“People are poor,” said Hidar. “They don’t have money to do it themselves and that’s why they are taking their needs to the government so that the government can solve their issues."

As the ALP numbers increase throughout Ahmed Kheyl, the district and provincial levels of sub-national governance will be better able to address and resolve the needs of their people.