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Strengthening the reach and legitimacy of the central government in outlying regions
Stabilization programs are designed to improve security, extend the reach of the Afghan government, and facilitate reconstruction in priority provinces. Their core objective is to implement projects that will improve stability so that more traditional forms of development assistance can resume.
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Success Stories
18 February 2013 | Khost, Afghanistan
USAID's CADG Local workers repaired flood barriers and later, the district’s largest irrigation network of traditional underground tunnels For years, Nadir Shah...
4 February 2013 | Paktika, Afghanistan
USAID's CADG Zamarai Kot village turns out to repair a canal There’s a reason that Zamarai Kot is locally dubbed ‘Mushkil’. The...
30 January 2013 | Kandahar, Afghanistan
USAID's CADG ‘Now, I can go to and from work on my own. I don’t need anyone to push me. I also have the...
17 January 2013 | Kandahar, Afghanistan
USAID's CCI The Director of the Department of Sports and Olympics presents jerseys to a team captain. Afghanistan is not so different...
2 January 2013 | Khost, Afghanistan
USAID's CADG In Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, skilled laborers work with unskilled villagers to repair the canal network A master mason...
6 December 2012 | Herat, Afghanistan
USAID / SIKA-West A gender roundtable in progress As the world marks November 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence...
2 April 2011 | Balkh Province, Afghanistan
USAID/CBSG Provision of school furniture for Mir Qasim Jan High School. On February 28, closing ceremonies were held for two recently completed school...
USAID/LGCD Groundbreaking ceremony for the Bytemor Road Graveling Project. On February 24, the district governor of Chimtal, representatives from the Balkh Provincial Directorate...
2 April 2011 | Khost Province, Afghanistan
USAID/LGCD The Khost DAIL director signing equipment handover documents. The economy of Khost Province is primarily based on agriculture. The majority of residents...
2 April 2011 | Parwan Province, Afghanistan
USAID/LGCD Parwan Deputy Provincial Governor receives a laptop from the closeout of LGCD’s Parwan provincial office. As USAID’s Local Governance and Community Development...
2 April 2011 | Kunduz Province, Afghanistan
USAID/CBSG Waiting Hall at Chardara District Clinic. On February 23, construction finished on the new waiting hall for the Chahar Dara District Clinic...
2 April 2011 | Paktika Province, Afghanistan
USAID/LGCD Representatives of the Paktika Department of Education receive tents for temporary schools. USAID’s Local Governance and Community Development project delivered 277 tents...
In The News
7 December 2010 | Kabul, Afghanistan
کابل افغانستان/ ۱۶ ق وس ۱۳۸۹ - تفاهم نامه پروژه جدید (CBSG) امروز توسط محترم جار الله منصوری...
Recognizing the importance of security, governance, and development in establishing stability in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and the...
23 November 2010 | Kabul, Afghanistan
نن د کرکټ ګڼو مینه والو ولیدل چی د مالی وزیر ښاغلی محمد عمر زاخیلوال او د امریکی د متحده ایالاتو سفیر ښاغلی کارل ډبیلو...
یک جمعیت وسیع از شایقین کرکت امروز شاهد گذاشتن سنگ تهداب توسط وزیر مالیه آقای محمد عمر زاخیلوال وکارل دبلیو آیکنبیری سفیر ایالات متحده به...
A large crowd of cricket enthusiasts watched today as Finance Minister Mohammad Omer Zakhiwal and United States Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry laid foundation stones to...
3 November 2010 | Kabul, Afghanistan
سفیر ایالات متحده امریکا در افغانستان آقای آیکن بیری یکجا با مامورین بلند رتبۀ افغان بشمول وزیر امور زنان ، شاروال کابل، والی ولایت کابل...
U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry joined Senior Afghan officials, including the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Deputy Mayor of Kabul, Governor of Kabul province and members...
19 June 2010 | Kabul, Afghanistan
د کابل ښاروال ښاغلی محمد یوسف نواندیش، د امریکی متحده ایالاتو پرمختیایی اداری (USAID) ریس ښاغلی بل فری، افغانی کارکونکو، میلمنو او نړیوال مرستندویو نن...
شاروال کابل آقای محمد یوسف نواندیش، ریس اداره انکشافی بین المللی ایالات متحده امریکا (USAID)، کارمندان افغانی، مهمانان گرامی و مساعدت کننده گان بین المللی...
Kabul Mayor Eng. Mohammad Yousuf Nawandesh and USAID Mission Director Bill Frej were joined by Afghan officials, distinguished guests, and international donors today for a...
BACKGROUND
Afghanistan elected its first democratic government in 2004, following almost 30 years of war and instability. Since coming to office, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) has engaged in establishing structures of governance at the provincial and district levels, and launching public services that respond to the critical socio-economic development needs of the approximately 29 million Afghan citizens.
Continuing violence in many districts exacerbates severe under-development throughout Afghanistan. Insecurity undermines citizen confidence in the legitimacy of the central government and threatens the hard won gains made to date. Recognizing the nexus of security, governance, and development in establishing stability in Afghanistan, the U.S. government supports GIRoA efforts to establish this environment at the provincial and district levels. The approach recognizes that practices and institutions of democracy, especially popular participation in governance, are essential for Afghanistan’s long-term development.
USAID supports Afghans in addressing the drivers of instability and establishing an environment for sustained social and economic development by: 1) engaging/supporting at-risk populations, 2) extending the reach of the government to unstable areas, 3) providing social and economic assistance and income-generation opportunities, 4) building trust between citizens and their government, and 5) encouraging local populations to take an active role in their development.
PROGRAMMING
OVERVIEW
The Stabilization Office unifies USAID’s programming under one office to coordinate the Mission’s stabilization activities. The office is responsible for responding to U.S. government stabilization objectives and priorities, managing USAID’s stabilization programs, and representing USAID in coordination with U.S. and coalition military forces.
COUNTERINSURGENCY CONTEXT
The “whole of government” approach recognizes USAID has a role in civilian and military counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts. USAID designs projects to contribute to political and social stabilization, social cohesion, and better governance. These are essential elements to hold areas “cleared” by military or police action and hamper the insurgents’ ability to draw support from the local populace.
Strategically integrated program activities correspond to key phases in COIN operations: 1) Shape – assessing community grievances and assisting coalition forces with shaping activities; 2) Clear – implementing quick-impact activities to meet recovery needs in priority communities; 3) Hold – addressing priority grievances of at-risk populations, and; 4) Build – implementing activities that support the transition from stabilization efforts to longer-term development.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OUTREACH & CAPACITY BUILDING
USAID’s stabilization activities help GIRoA extend its reach into unstable areas, develop sound relationships with communities by responding to constituents’ needs, and build local governance capacity through basic management training to local government officials. Activities include training and mentoring in project identification, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, conflict negotiation, and strategic district stabilization planning and budgeting.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Working closely with Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Program and community organizations, USAID’s stabilization programs empower local communities to take an active role in their own stability and development. Examples include engaging community development councils to identify and prioritize activities or requiring community contributions to support community grants, often in the form of labor, donated land, training expertise, transportation, and assistance with project security. USAID supports the delivery of vocational training accompanied by literacy and numeracy education.
INCOME GENERATION
To address the lack of economic opportunity as a key driver of instability and a motive for joining the insurgency, USAID generates temporary employment and income generation to promote stability. Project activities are typically labor intensive and take on critical infrastructure and economic growth projects, such as orchard plowing, farm-to-market road construction, irrigation system repair, and school rehabilitation.
QUICK IMPACT & EMERGENCY RESPONSE
USAID’s quick impact activities respond to immediate or emergency community needs, including recovery from natural disasters, and provide short-term livelihood opportunities in support of broader stabilization efforts. Activities include rehabilitating wells, drainage canals, schools, and irrigation systems; mitigating flood damage; and providing humanitarian aid to local governments for distribution to displaced families.
COMMUNITY RECOVERY FOLLOWING MILITARY ACTIVITY
Recognizing that communities recovering from military operations are highly vulnerable, USAID implements stabilization activities to bring normalcy and assist with the recovery of losses incurred during the operations. Activities include immediate material and livelihood assistance to families suffering loss, rebuilding vital community infrastructure, and rehabilitating playgrounds and sports facilities for youth development.
Fact Sheet Stabilization Sector June 2012
Afghan Civilian Assistance Program (ACAP)
Afghan Civilian Assistance Program II (ACAP II)
Afghanistan Peace & Reintegration Program (APRP)
Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF)
Community Based Stabilization Grants (CBSG)
Community Cohesion Initiative (CCI)
Community Development Program – Kabul (CDP-K)
Community Development Program – North (CDP-N)
Community Development Program – South, East & West (CDP-SEW)
District Delivery Program (DDP)
Food Insecurity Response for Urban Populations (FIRUP) - West
Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD)
Measuring Impact of Stabilization Initiatives (MISTI)
PRT Quick Impact Projects
Stabilization in Key Areas (SIKA)
PHOTO: RLS-I Checchi Consulting
The RLS-I Regional Conflict Resolution Commission (RCRC) resolving an historic intractable dispute in Arghandab, Kandahar.
USAID/LGCD
Distribution of safety equipment for trained DoEW personnel.
Prospective and current entrepreneurs during the training in Sharana.
The solar lights installed in Loy Bagh area of Nad Ali.
Women attending the hygiene training in Kabul City.
The furniture for the Guzara Youth Association.
Trainees receive instruction during the diesel engine repair training.
Labors clearing out the Gereshk Bazaar drainage system.
District Mayor distributes certificate to workshop participants.
USAID/ROL-F
Supreme Court’s Administration and Finance Director Mohammed Sayed Hosravi receives the case filing materials from a representative of the U.S. Government-funded project.
Laborers gravel the road in Wali Jan Village of Sub-District Six in Kandahar.
The rehabilitated government visitor’s dormitory in Sharana City of Paktika Province.
The new desks receive a trial run during the handover ceremony in Kart-e-Boland Village.
Paktika Provincial Governor presents a toolkit to a trainee.
Local laborers constructing a culvert for a road in Jaji District.
The U.S. Ambassador and GIRoA officials cut the ribbon for the new clinic.
A laborer in Khar Lando Village cleans a karez leading to the canal.
USAID/RLS-I
A long walk to dispute resolution
USAID/ACAP
Abdul Manan and the water pump provided to him by USAID’s ACAP program.
USAID/CADG
Abdul Wasi, a local shopkeeper and carpenter, says the sidewalks and drains have improved business.
Men from Sange-e-Masha Village inspect materials for repair of a main access road.
USAID/LGCD/DAI
During a USAID-funded horticulture and forestation training program in Kunar, a student and trainer inspect a recently planted tree. The program provided 875 farmers and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock staff with training on orchard establishment, nurseries, woodlots, and natural resource management.
Kandahar residents worked with the international community to refurbish the Aloku School in Dand district, Kandahar province.
U.S. Embassy/Dan Wilkinson
U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry tries his hand at cricket during the renovation ceremony of the Kabul National Cricket Stadium. With an estimated completion in July 2011, the renovation will include a new boundary wall, pitch, sprinkler system, and seating. The renovated stadium will serve as the main hub for hosting both domestic and international events and will accommodate more than 6,000 cricket fans.
An apprentice receives his employment contract during the closing ceremony.
USAID/Afghanistan
Arghandab residents listen to the first radio broadcast.
IRD/AVIPA Plus
Maj. Joseph Roberts of the U.S. Army 42nd Cavalry meets with AVIPA Plus engineers, village elders, and members of the Joint District Coordination center in Spin Boldak.
Attendees of the Women’s Garden Rehabilitation opening event.
Emily Crawford/LGCD
Aftab Alam, national cricket team member, awards medals to young cricketers.
Officials water a new sapling at the Baghe Qazi historical garden in old Kabul.
USAID/Nuristan PRT
A shopping street in Barg-e-Matal, taken before attacks by insurgents.
USAID/PRT Panjsher/Jeremy Lewis
A farmer checks on his beehives in Darra.
Ashraf Khan fixes a bicycle in his shop, which he opened after completing a USAID-funded bicycle repair course. The shop provides a steady income for Mr. Khan and his family.
Young trainees learn bicycle repair skills in Khost City.
USAID/PRT Jalalabad
A new bridge provides four villages in Nangarhar with increased access to schools, medical facilities, and markets.
Local laborers build the security wall around Aloku School.
A team of laborers cleans a canal in Daman District, Kandahar.
Workers build a flood retaining wall to protect their village on the outskirts of Kabul. USAID’s cash-for-work programs provide temporary employment to Afghans, allowing them to earn an income and provide for their families.
The characters in the rule of law comic book sets—young Yassin and his uncle, Kaka Raouf—help raise legal awareness among young Afghans.
Children collect clean drinking water from a rehabilitated hand-pump well in Paymunar.
Shindand District Governor, Lal Mohammad Omarzai hands out certificate during the closing ceremony in October 2010.
نقش یاسین پسرجوان و کاکای او کاکا روف در کتاب های تصویری بخش حاکمیت قانون افزایش آگاهی حقوقی را در بین جوانان افغان تقویه می نمایند.
Community health workers receive training in rural Nuristan province.
KPRT
Community members in Rege Kalacha hold a shura with Afghan Government representatives and members of the KPRT.
Men in Khawja Shahab build a boundary wall for the local high school.
USAID/PRT Baghlan
Dalilee community members inspect their new road, which includes a vehicle bridge.
Community members gather at the opening of the Deh Salah District Communications Network Center.
Director of Education (right) and the District Governor (left) are interviewed by the media about the school supply distribution in Zhari.
The Dutch provincial reconstruction team in Uruzgan delivered 12,000 rule of law comic book sets for distribution to schoolchildren throughout the province.
The Dutch PRT coordinated the delivery of 12,000 ARoLP legal awareness comic books to elementary schools throughout Uruzgan province.
USAID/Jessica Benton Cooney
U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry and GIRoA Finance Minister participate in groundbreaking to rehabilitate the Kabul National Cricket Stadium.
Minister Omer Zakhiwal and U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry exchange gifts to celebrate the start of renovation of the Kabul National Cricket Stadium.
USAID/PRT Tirin Kot
Uruzgan farmers discuss their challenges and goals with local government officials.
Female students attending classes before construction of Goshta School
USAID/FIRUP
Gozar-e Shahrak residents dig a drainage ditch to prevent future flooding.
Severe flooding affected Daman District in Kandahar, as seen from Tarnak Bridge.
“Fruit and Vegetables Processing and Basic Hygiene” training course graduates receive their marketing toolkits.
In Ghazni, citizens can use the newly installed complaints box to submit anonymous grievances about community and governance issues.
USAID/FIRUP/Hilda Grigorian
Ghor residents gravel a road and dig a drainage ditch to prevent flooding. Improved roads allow better access to markets, schools, and clinics.
Water flows freely through a cleaned irrigation canal, nourishing farmland and pastures in the Chaghcharan area of Ghor province.
USAID/PRT Gardez
A girls’ choir in Paktya sings in honor of Women’s Day.
Goshta School after construction; eight classrooms accommodate 364 boys and girls
Goshta School during construction.
Wardak Provincial Governor Muhammad Halim Fidai distributes school supplies.
Gujerekhil community members celebrate their new bakery.
A villager in Uruzgan uses a hand pump installed by USAID to get fresh drinking water.
USAID PRT'er Grant Hale hands out supplies to children in Khost Province.
Health and Hygiene Training Closing Ceremony, Parwan Province.
USAID and the Provincial Reconstruction Team provided warm clothing, food, and heaters to victims of a rocket attack in Kapisa.
Refugee families receive hygiene kits in Kunar Province.
USAID/PRT Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan
In celebration of International Women's Day 2009, the Director of Women's Affairs in Uruzgan distributed gifts to 600 women at an event in the provincial capital. One attendee said that while she appreciated recieving a gift to commemorate the day, the real 'gift' was the gathering itself, where a large group of women could come together in a safe and comfortable environment.
Staff of the Shinwari District Center receive IT equipment funded by USAID.
The hall was packed for the closing ceremony of the Jalrez District canal cleaning project.
Members of the Jalrez Youth Association receive sports toolkits.
USAID/PRT Mazari Sharif
Qazal Ayaq residents inspect their new reservoir and hand pump.
Joybar villagers are building a protection wall along the canal to keep flooding from damaging their crops.
USAID/RLS-Forma
Nine judges and 11 staff members of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal attend a USAID provided computer training program and learn how to apply their knowledge to fight corruption in Afghanistan.
USAID/PRT-Panjsher
This fruit juice, made from Panjsher Province’s fresh fruits and vegetables, is selling well at local markets and fairs.
USAID/Uruj Perwaiz
A worker removes trash from the Kabul River, improving water flow and earning an income to support his family.
Kajaki Dam in Hilmand Province.
The Khaneshin Bazaar is a clean place to shop following sanitation work.
Children in Bagh-e-pol Village, Kandahar Province, receive their new school supplies.
Children in Nawa village in Kunar province collect water from a new tap installed by USAID.
Recently trained Kuchi youth are equipped to work as mechanics.
Community leaders distributed bedding to refugee families now living in Kunar Province’s Sholtan Valley.
Local workers rebuilding Tagab District
The sub-district manager monitors a project site and meets his constituents in sub-district six of Kandahar Province.
Afghan officials, international donors, and community leaders celebrate the launch of the Nangarhar Industrial Park construction.
The newly renovated Nangarhar Teacher Training Institute building.
A village elder and Nawa residents celebrate the construction of 46 running water taps.
A villager poses by a culvert built as part of a roads project in Nawa.
Children pump clean water at a communal tap connected to the USAID-funded pipe network in Nawa village.
Nawa's watertank sits above the village.
New canal intakes in Laghman Province.
USAID/DAI
Newly acquired publications for the ACKU collection proudly on display.
Newly installed lights increase security at the Garmsir Bazaar.
U.S. Embassy/Daniel Wilkinson
Ambassador and Mrs. Karl W. Eikenberry cut the ribbon at the reopening of the Women's Garden in Kabul.
Peace Message Radio roundtable discussion with Khost citizens and officials.
USAID/Sayed Torak
Villagers stand by flood walls as the river rises due to heavy rainfall in Panjshir province. The U.S. Government is mobilizing to provide logistics support, technical assistance, and recovery planning support in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan. Additionally, the United States is providing additional blankets, tents, food, and extra fuel to the central provinces.
Heavy rains have caused flooding in Afghanistan's central provinces. U.S. Ambassador William B. Wood announced that the United States Government will contribute donations of required goods and services to meet identified needs.
IOM Gardez
Chamkani Hospital, the second largest healthcare facility in Paktia Province, is now operational
Through USAID, the clinic received a major refurbishment and a newly constructed wing. The roof, building exterior, interior, and bathroom facilities were completely gutted and renovated. The clinic also received a new generator and water tank.
Preparing winter relief kits.
Qadis residents, Afghan officials, and USAID representatives attended the peace jirga.
Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA)
Kunar Governor Wahidi distributes radios to village elders.
Parmakan School students enjoy learning in their refurbished classroom.
Ayub Khan High School receives refurbished and repainted classrooms.
Community members contribute their labor to repair the Qazzaq road.
USAID/CBSG
Residents appreciate the construction of new culverts, which have eased transportation and reduced flooding.
Representatives from Tagab’s 80 villages attend a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the beginning of road construction.
USAID/Carlo Nino, DAI
Workers from Joee Safeed Village prepare their road for graveling.
Sakhar villagers work to widen and improve their road.
Saywoshan residents stand on a new bridge.
The acting governor of Khost presents science equipment to local schools.
A Shindand resident carries her USAID-funded winterization kit.
Men return to Eskin after completing 10 days of paid work to clear the valley’s access road.
Men from Eskin at work on the road-clearing project.
1,500 citizens attended the outreach Shura in Musa Qala, Helmand Province.
A solar light recently installed in Muqur, Badghis Province.
More than 100 families in Logar Province will have clean, affordable energy this winter thanks to solar panels provided by USAID and Afghan Community Development Councils.
Local Governance and Community Development staff conduct a final assessment of Bakwa’s new roads.
The technical advisor talks with students at the Esa Baba School.
USAID/RLS-Formal
Thirty-five judges from Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces attend the provinces’ first continuing legal education training program for judges.
USAID/PRT-Ghazni
National Disabled Association members learn to make tin buckets during USAID-sponsored vocational training.
Tirin Kot’s residents are pleased to have new concrete drains and sidewalks.
Laborers from Shah Kabul Kaln receive tools at the launch of the road project.
Kajaki engineers explain to journalists how the new turbines will function.
A student soccer player in Siawshan, Hirat Province, is grateful for the new, USAID-provided sports facilities.
A Wardak villager demonstrates the use of a water divider that was build with the support of USAID.
In the Deh Salah District Communications Network Center, the District Governor speaks by phone with the Provincial Governor in Puli Khumri.
Ghazni PRT Commander Lt. Colonel Wilson Marks and National Disabled Association Director Fazel Haq Sadat Mosa hand a new set of tools to a vocational training graduate.
Stakeholders in Ghazni attend the vocational training program launch.
ISAF
Kit distribution in Kunar.
A poultry farmer tends to her chickens in Qalat, Zabul.
Women learn to clean and process raisins in Zabul.
Women in Kunar learn to grow seedlings during a USAID-funded agriculture training program.
Women trainees are proud to learn how to make jam and juice while earning an income to support their families.
Women in Gereshk learn tailoring and embroidery skills.
The head of the Women United Independent Society signs a grant agreement to provide library books for Gharghast Girls’ School.
The Director of Women's Affairs in Uruzgan distributes gifts to 600 women at an event in the provincial capital.
The governor of Hilmand presents a gift on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The Women's Garden provides the women of Kabul a safe space to participate in a range of recreational and educational activities.
USAID/CDP
Workers put the final touches on a sidewalk in Kandahar. The city government initiated what became a very successful public works project.
Workers topple the wall of an abandoned mud home.
Implemented more than 5,325 community stabilization activities in the most insecure and unstable communities throughout the country
Created more than 14.5 million employment days through cash-for-work and short-term income generation
Provided livelihood assistance to more than 36,000 individuals suffering losses because of military operations
(Data as of June 2011)
Last updated 21 Feb 2013
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