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Rebuilding Afghanistan
Weekly Activity Update for March 19 - March 25
Issue #80
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| The I-PACS program aims to strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CSO). Shuras, like the Kot shura shown above, are one type of CSOs. Others include NGOs, youth groups, cultural organizations, and unions. |
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| Part of LCEP’s literacy campaign includes teacher training, where lead teachers are trained and, in turn, train local teachers. Above is a session involving lead teachers. |
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| LCEP female lead teachers at the training session.
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| The foundation of a bridge in Bamiyan Province which serves as both useful infrastructure as well as a mediation mechanism for two ethnic groups.
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Strengthening the Government
Enhancing Afghan civil society
A strong civil society in Afghanistan will create stability, build local
government accountability, and provide a public framework for upcoming
national elections. The I-PACS (Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil
Society) program, launched in January 2005, focuses on building a
strong, sustainable civil society in Afghanistan by supporting the
enactment of a NGO law, capacity building through training and
mentoring, and small grant funding for CSOs (Civil Society
Organizations). CSOs include, but are not limited to: NGOs, social and
cultural organizations, associations, shuras (community elders), CDCs
(Community Development Councils), women and youth groups, unions,
and cooperatives.
An initial civil society assessment will inform program direction. Twentytwo
Afghans were trained in survey, interview, and focus group
techniques and are currently working in 22 selected provinces. The
assessment will be completed by the end of the April and will be shared
broadly. Also this month, after several weeks of intense meetings, the
draft NGO law was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for
consideration. This law will set guidelines and establish a structure for
the NGO community. Last month, the I-PACS program began an
assessment of capacity building needs. The findings, currently under
review, will steer the goals and plan for organizational development
support to local CSOs. Also, I-PACS awarded its first grant for $2,200 to
Afghan Peace-Seeker Women Council (APWC) for an event celebrating
International Women’s Day. Contracts for 3 additional grants are in
process.
Empowering Communities
Building capacity in rural Afghan communities
The Literacy and Community Empowerment Program (LCEP) will
provide Afghan communities with the tools and knowledge to support
themselves in the areas of literacy, governance and economic growth.
Over the next two years, this innovative, sustainable and communitydriven
model for rural village development will work in 200
communities in five targeted provinces. LCEP will offer a literacy
program for community members and provide training to the newlyorganized
Afghan Community Development Councils (CDCs.) To
promote economic growth, LCEP will teach community members how
to organize local savings banks and micro-enterprise activities. A new
national Literacy Learning Center in Kabul will serve as the hub of the
program’s tools and training development. Lastly, LCEP will help
advance the practice of monitoring and evaluation in development
projects by providing training for Afghan professionals in the field.
Creating Conditions for Stability
Bridge to connect communities and end conflict
Kakrag village is in a remote and mountainous area in central
Afghanistan that is home to Hazaras and Tajiks. In
consultation with both Tajik and Hazara communities, USAID
identified a bridge and retaining wall as high-priority needs for
both communities. Because there was no bridge to cross the
river, people from the Hazara village, located above Kakrag,
were forced to cross the Tajik villagers’ farmland with their
carts. Since the continual traffic across the farmland
damaged the fields and crops, relations between the Hazaras
and the Tajiks in the area were strained.
The bridge was successfully completed and awaits hand-over
to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in
Bamiyan. Both communities are pleased with the
construction of the bridge and retaining wall, which alleviated
tensions between two ethnic groups.
Security Incidents
Note: Hostile attacks are reported through USAID's security contractors and the Associated Press
- Number of Hostile Attacks: During this reporting period, there were six hostile attacks resulting in 32 injuries, five
deaths, and one kidnapping.
- USAID Related: During this reporting period, there was no hostile attack directly affecting USAID related projects
and/or staff. There were six other attacks against other aid agencies and NGOs.
- Latest Attack: On March 17 in Kandahar City experienced two explosions. Around 11am, an IED (Improvised
Explosive Device) was detonated, killing 5 civilians and wounding 32 others, including 3 women. WFP (World Food
Programme) and UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) vehicles had just passed by the area,
the WFP vehicle was damaged, but there were no casualties or injuries reported for either agency. One person was
arrested and taken to custody for investigation. Earlier that morning, an IED was detonated near a UNOPS (United
Nations Office for Project Services) vehicle. The vehicle was slightly damaged, but no one was injured.
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This graphic shows the number of hostile attacks by month.
In September 2004, there were 7 hostile incidents directly affecting USAID related activities and 17 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In October 2004, there were 3 hostile incidents directly affecting USAID related activities and 18 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In November 2004, there were 2 hostile incidents directly affecting USAID related activities and 10 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In December 2004, there were 3 hostile incidents directly affecting USAID related activities and 4 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In January 2005, there was 1 hostile incident directly affecting USAID related activities and 8 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In February 2005, there were 2 hostile incidents directly affecting USAID related activities and 8 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities.
In March 2005, there has been 1 hostile incident directly affecting USAID related activities and 16 indirect hostile incidents affecting USAID activities. ANSO Security Reporting began in September 2004.
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