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USAID/OTI Afghanistan Field Report
July 2003
Program Description
USAID/OTI's program goal in post-conflict Afghanistan is to support the process of recovery, rehabilitation and political development. Working with local and international partners, USAID/OTI's program is building citizen confidence in the progress of political development, empowering citizens to address basic community needs, and building an alliance between legitimate government structures and citizens. In addition, USAID/OTI supports efforts to strengthen independent media. USAID/OTI's budget for FY2002 was approximately $27 million. USAID/OTI's budget for FY2003 is currently estimated at $16 million. USAID/OTI currently plans to phase out of its program by the end of FY2004, following elections in June 2004.
USAID/OTI's overall program strategy is to help the Afghan government to function outside Kabul by planning and implementing projects guided by community priorities, and by creating and/or strengthening linkages among the national, provincial, and district governments. USAID/OTI's projects strengthen economic recovery by improving essential commercial and public infrastructure and fostering the re-establishment of community cohesion. These projects further contribute to stability and recovery by establishing links between the community and governmental authorities at the local level, while building connections between the provinces and Kabul. USAID/OTI is also improving the communication infrastructure and implementing a comprehensive media strategy. USAID/OTI Afghanistan's main implementing partners are the International Organization for Migration-Afghanistan Transition Initiative (IOM-ATI), Ronco (a U.S. contractor), and Internews. Projects are funded in 26 provinces of the country.
Country Situation
In July, travel in many areas of Afghanistan continued to be limited due to security issues including military operations, banditry, land mines, and rivalry between armed political and tribal groups. Despite this unpredictable and volatile working environment, OTI's implementing partner IOM-ATI continued activities throughout the country including work with war-affected communities along the southeast border with Pakistan.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR)— The DDR process which was to begin officially on July 1 in the provinces of Paktya, Bamyan, Kunduz, Mazar-I-Sharif, Kandahar and Kabul, was once again postponed. The new date will be set once reform of the Ministry of Defense (MoD) is underway. Currently the MoD is dominated by a small Tajik faction under the leadership of Minister Marshal Fahim. Successful reform of the MoD would mean that the MoD leadership more would more accurately reflect the ethnic makeup of the country. A two-day workshop was held in Kabul at the end of July to bring together governors, cabinet members, coalition representatives, other major players in the security sector, and donors to discuss how to move the reform process forward.
OTI's program through IOM — ATI has been committed to supporting the reintegration process through the inclusion of ex-combatants hired as laborers as one of the criteria for approving community infrastructure projects.
Presidential Decree to Convene Constitutional Loya Jirga — President Karzai signed a decree authorizing the convening of the Constitutional Loya Jirga, which will approve Afghanistan's new constitution. It is currently scheduled for early October 2003.
Presidential Decree to Form Electoral Commission — President Karzai issued a decree to form a six-member Interim Electoral Commission. The Commission will be responsible for advising the Afghan government on electoral issues and assisting the United Nations in the voter registration process from March 2003 to June 2004.
Tensions with Neighboring Pakistan — In early July, following a speech in which President Karzai warned against outside powers encroaching on Afghanistan's sovereignty, which Kabul residents took to mean Pakistan, a mob broke into the Embassy of Pakistan and caused moderate damage. President Karzai subsequently apologized and the Government of Afghanistan reim-bursed the Pakistani Government for the damages.
Coinciding with these events were a number of rumored and real incursions by the Pakistani Army across the disputed Durrand Line, the British colonial demarcation of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mounting tensions led to the formation of a Tripartite Commission involving the USG, the Government of Afghanistan, and the Government of Pakistan, which helped to defuse the situation.
Revenue Collection from the Provinces — Since March 2003 the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) has collected $56 million in revenue from provincial governors, including $20 million from the Governor Ismail Khan of Herat. According to President Karzai's spokesperson, "It's very promising. It seems that the process is working." The Minister of Finance, Ashraf Ghani, is undertaking a major reorganization of provincial customs and finance departments in a bid to improve revenue flows and extend the influence of the central government.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
Radio Station in Kabul Starts Test Broadcasts and Four More Stations Receive Licenses - In collaboration with USAID/OTI partner, Internews, the Afghan NGO, Development and Humanitarian Services for Afghanistan (DHSA), began test broadcasting for what will be a 24 hour, talk-show radio station in Kabul. The station will also serve as a training center for journalists affiliated with other emerging independent radio stations sponsored by Internews with at least five to six intern radio journalists working in the station at any given time. These stations include Pul-I-Khumri (Baghlan Province), Jalalabad (Nangarhar Province), Muhammad Agha (Logar Province) and Baraki Barak (Logar Province), all of which received their broadcast licenses from the Ministry of Information and Culture in July.
Internews Suggests Constitutional Amendment on the Freedom of Expression - A media lawyer working with Internews presented the Afghan Constitutional Commission with a suggested constitutional clause which would embed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles related to the freedom of expression into the constitution. The Commission said it would consider the modification during the second round of constitutional consultations, which will follow the official release of the draft.
The Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) Provides Training in Modern Journalistic Standards - In July, IWPR held a workshop for 24 journalists working for state media throughout Afghanistan. The workshop covered: the role of journalist in a democracy; the difference between news and official announcements; the ten standards of international journalism; fact vs. opinion; knowing your audience; ethics; planning a story; sourcing; interviewing; writing headlines and leads; and structuring a story. Also covered were issues unique to working in the provinces, such as lack of money for transportation to cover stories and access to notebooks and pens. The journalists reported that they were very excited to be there as most of them had never had training in professional standards of journalism before. IWPR is planning to expand the training to provide numerous provincial training opportunities for both state and independent journalists.
Representatives of the Afghan Civil Society Forum Present Their Recommendations to the Constitutional Commission - The Afghan Civil Society Forum (ACSF)-led consortium of 25 Afghan NGOs, including 14 women's NGOs, has carried out civic education programs in all of Afghanistan's 354 districts, with grants totaling an estimated $350,000 from USAID/OTI and $100,000 from USAID through The Asia Foundation. This effort has been in support of the Afghan Constitutional Commission in their public outreach campaign. An average of four-five community leaders from each district were trained in constitutional issues, totaling approximately 1,600 individuals who then educated people in their respective districts. During July, the consortium organized 8 regional feedback meetings in the provinces of Mazar-I-Sharif, Jalalabad, Herat, Kunduz, Bamyan, Gardez, Kandahar and Kabul where community leaders provided the views of their "constituency" to members of the Constitutional Commission. This culminated in a national conference held in Kabul. More than 1,000 participants attended the three-day meeting in Kabul, of which approximately 200 were women. The most frequentlycited issues were: the role of Islam in the government; protection of human rights (including women's rights); universal access to free education; whether Dari or Pashtu should be the official language; and the difficulties of educating people on the constitution in the absence of a publicly circulated draft. The draft is scheduled to be released in early September. Once it is released, the Afghan Civil Society Forum will continue to play a key role in helping to educate Afghans throughout the country regarding this important political development.
Projects Completed in July Include:
- Video of Codan installation. A video was completed on the installation of the Codan communication system around the country. The system, which allows provincial governments to communicate by phone, email, or fax with other provincial governments and Kabul, was funded by USAID/OTI and installed in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications. The video will be aired on Television Afghanistan and on provincial television stations.
- Ministry of Planning: Repair of the employee cafeteria.
- National survey of local leadership to better target training projects aimed at leadership.
- Ministry of Commerce: Kindergarten renovation.
- Ministry of Information and Culture: Provision of simultaneous translation equipment for national press center.
- Uruzgan Province: Culverts and Bridges in Tirin Kot.
- Zabul Province: Karez repair in Qalat.
- Herat Province: Repair of Kabobar Bridge.
- Herat Province: Repair of the second section of the Heart-Sabzak Road.
- Badghis Province: three schools.
- Herat Province: Repair of canal in Zandajan District.
- Paktiya Province: Reservoir and pipe system.
- Baghlan Province: Reconstruction of Bala-Duri Canal.
- Samangan Province: Repair of 100 kandas (family water reservoirs).
- Samangan Province: Repair of 2 retaining walls.
| Community Infrastructure |
22 |
$688,795 |
| Good Governance / Transparency |
5 |
$354,832 |
| Women's Projects |
4 |
$158,924 |
| Total |
31 |
$1,202,551 |
USAID/OTI signed the following small grants during the current reporting period, June 2003:
| Ministry of Communication, Charikar,
Parwan Province. |
Rehabilitation of post office. |
Approximately 100,000 inhabitants
of Parwan Province. Approximately 5,000 inhabitants of surrounding provinces. |
| Ministry of Communication, Kabul.
|
Rehabilitation of 2 post offices. |
Approximately 600,000 people
living in the vicinity of the post offices.
|
| Ministry of Communication, Bamyan Province.
|
Construction of new post office. |
Approximately 100,000 inhabitants of Bamyan
Province. Approximately 10,000 inhabitants of surrounding provinces. |
| Ministry of Communication, Kunar Province.
|
Construction of new post office. |
Approximately 200,000 inhabitants of Kunar
Province. Approximately 10,000 inhabitants of surrounding provinces.
|
| Community of Shiberghan, Jawzjan Province.
|
Rehabilitation of water supply. |
1,150 families living on 850 hectares of
land. 7 skilled and 26 unskilled laborers for 75 days.
|
| Community of Qulbato, Bamyan
Province. |
Rehabilitation of primary school.
|
189 boys and 107 girls. 491 man
days of labor.
|
| Community of Dahan-E-Warass,
Bamyan Province. |
Rehabilitation of primary school.
|
149 boys and 54 girls. 771 man
days of labor.
|
| Community of Cheigin, Bamyan
Province. |
Rehabilitation of primary school. |
174 students, freeing up room
for girls to attend school. 313 man days of labor. |
| Community of Band-E-Kossa |
Rehabilitation of primary school |
127 students, freeing up room for girls to
attend school. 358 man days of labor |
Community of Ashpushtakh, Bamyan Province |
Construction of primary school |
230 boys and 209 girls.2,945 man days of
labor |
| Community of Dasht-e-Safied, Bamyan Province |
Construction of primary school |
An anticipated 340 students, boys and girls.
2,970 man days of labor. |
| Women of Parwan Province |
Construction of women’s
center |
The estimated 360,000 women of
Parwan Province. 25 employees of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
8 skilled and 20 unskilled laborers for 90 days |
| Women of Farah Province |
Construction of women’s
center |
The estimated 170,000 women of
Farah Province. 25 employees of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. 1,500
days of skilled labor. 2,500 man days of unskilled labor |
| Women in Faizabad, Badakshan
Province |
Literacy / business course and
tailoring course |
60 women living in Faizabad.
30 children cared for in the kindergarten. 17 project staff |
Community of Tirin Kot, Uruzgan
Province.
|
Construction of 6 small bridges on the main roads of Tirin Kot. |
20,000 inhabitants of Tirin Kot, and 30,000 from surrounding districts.
40 laborers for 30 days. |
| Community of Ruy-E-Sang, Bamyan
Province. |
Rehabilitation of Dan Dara Irrigation Canal. |
1,000 families of
Ruy-E-Sang. 4 skilled laborers for 22 days. 109 unskilled laborers for 22
days. |
| Community of Shiberghan, Jawzjan
Province. |
Construction of irrigation intake. |
550 families. 7 skilled and
21 unskilled laborers for 90 days. |
| Community of Hazrat-E-Sultan,
Samangan Province |
Protection of the Baba Hewaz
Dam. |
2,000 families. 680 hectares
of land protected. 4 skilled and 12 unskilled laborers for 75 days.
|
| Community of Loya Wala, Kandahar
Province |
Provision of electric poles and
electrical supplies. |
Approximately 4,500 homes which
currently have no connection to the electrical grid. |
| Communities of the Provinces
of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakshan |
Construction of 2 bridges and
2 fords on the road that links these 3 provinces |
11,100 families who use this
road. 3 skilled and 16 unskilled laborers for 60 days |
| Community of Dara-E-Suf, Samangan
Province |
Construction of a bridge and
17 culverts, fords and protection walls. |
Approximately 20,000 families
in 16 villages. 11 skilled and 30 unskilled laborers for 90 days. |
| Community of Taghan, Jawzjan
Province |
Construction of irrigation system
intake. |
800 families who will benefit
from 700 hectares of irrigated land. 12 skilled and 38 unskilled laborers
for 4 months. |
| Community of Jig Dalig, Jawzjan
Province |
Construction of Jig Dallig Dam
and intake system |
1,000 families will benefit from
an additional 850 hectares of land being brought into production. 9 skilled
and 34 unskilled laborers for 4 months. |
| Community of Beshkupruk, Kunduz
Province |
Construction of 3 bridges |
The population of the 8 main
villages (15,000 people) along this road. 3 skilled and 11 unskilled laborers
for 4 months. |
| Community of Dahst-E-Safied,
Bamyan Province. |
Floodway construction on the
Dasht-E-Safied Road. |
262 families who will benefit
from the improved road. 16 skilled and 64 laborers for 22 days. |
| Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation
and Development, National. |
Provision of equipment for the
ministry’s gender unit. |
Indirectly, all women of Afghanistan. |
| |
|
|
| Community of Dasht-E-Safied,
Bamyan Province. |
Irrigation of the Jariq Canal.
|
120 families. 13 skilled and
60 unskilled laborers for 22 days. |
| Community of Dasht-E-Safied,
Bamyan Province. |
Construction of the Geerow Bridge. |
118 families. 7 skilled and
38 unskilled laborers for 22 days. |
| Community of Ruy-E-Sang, Bamyan
Province. |
Construction of protection wall.
|
1,000 families. 8 skilled and
38 unskilled laborers for 22 days. |
| Community of Shahidan, Bamyan
Province. |
Construction of a clinic |
40,000 inhabitants of Shahidan
and neighboring Bamyan District |
Indicators of Success
USAID/OTI Grants Help Lead to More Sustainable Afghan Organizations - As mentioned above, a USAID/OTI of $350,000 to the Afghan Civil Society Forum (ACSF) assisted in the organization's ability to mobilize on a national basis. In addition to helping ACSF get started, the grant encouraged other donors to support the project, resulting in total funding of more than $1 million. The grant also enabled ACSF to become a partner for subsequent efforts, such as the second phase of public education on the constitution and the upcoming June 2004 elections. At a meeting in early August with United Nations staff, the Afghan Constitutional Commission made a positive reference regarding ACSF's work on the project. ACSF is on their way to becoming a nationally recognized civic education consortium.
Similarly, USAID/OTI has been supporting a series of conflict-resolution workshops facilitated by the Afghan NGO, Sanayee Development Foundation (SDF). With a USAID/OTI grant of $68,000, 13 workshops are scheduled to take place throughout the country, targeting provinces where the potential for conflict is the greatest. To date, workshops have been facilitated for 25 mullahs (religious leaders) in Kabul, and local leaders (including mullahs) in the provinces of Ghazni, Mazar-I-Sharif, Jawzjan, and Badakshan. USAID/OTI has strongly encouraged SDF to expand their capacity by increasing their number of trainers. The UN has recognized the effetiveness of SDF and has asked SDF to give a week of conflict resolution training to all 500 of the delegates to the Afghan Constitutional Loya Jirga.
Creating Employment Opportunities for Women - USAID/OTI's implementing partner IOM has developed an innovative way to include women in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. For example, in Takhar Province, IOM is supporting a number of irrigation projects which use gabions (wire mesh cages filled with stones). The women are being paid to construct the gabions. One project is placing gabion dikes to protect Buin Village from the Khanabad River. Not only will this project protect 925 of Buin's houses against the spring flooding of the river, but it also employs 160 women for 20 days in the Pul-I-Khok area
Like other women of the Pul-I-Khok village in Takhar Province, Miss Shaima is netting gabions for an irrigation project being implemented by IOM. "Thanks to this activity, I can earn some money for my family at the same time take care of my children," said Miss Shaima. "My mother is also working with me, and neighbors often come to give help. It is good that we are able to do this activity at home as it allows us to earn money for the family…this is very good for my family, especially before winter." This innovative way to include women in infrastructure projects will be replicated by national Afghan government programs including the National Solidarity Program and the National Emergency Employment Program.
Building Confidence in the Government of Uruzgan through Bridges and Culverts - "It is a step towards the rebuilding of Uruzgan Province," said the governor, Jan Mohammad about the rebuilding of culverts and bridges in the Tirin Kot area. The Tirin Kot area has been the site of sporadic fighting. Previously, the bad road conditions caused numerous accidents. Another benefit is that USAID's presence through the IOM-ATI program in this volatile area is slowly encouraging other organizations to restart work that was halted due to the security situation. Total cost of the various bridge and culvert projects was $205,000.
Bridge Serves To Create Confidence in the Bamyan Provincial Government - Khamard, in the north of Bamyan Province, has roughly 5,240 families spread throughout one main valley and several smaller valleys. It is the main market in the district. Early in 2003, a delegation of representatives of the Ministries of Health, Education, Public Works and Rural Development visited Khamard and committed to the re-construction the Doab-Mekh-Zarin Bridge, which the community identified as their top priority. The bridge is the only "door" to the district and closes off the valley when the river rises during the spring. IOM-ATI and the Ministry of Rural Development and Public Works collaborated closely on the planning and implementation of projects.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
During the month of August 2003, USAID/OTI will:
- Inaugurate independent radio stations in Jalalabad, Bamyan, Kabul, and Herat.
- Continue to support the constitutional education process. The Constitutional Commission has requested assistance with basic information about the constitution (e.g. the governmental system, the role of religion, and protection for every ethnic group), the process for selecting delegates, and the process by which the Constitutional Loya Jirga will be carried out.
- Continue to support the state radio stations while also encouraging the development of independent radio stations;
- Continue the process of closing out the projects of partner Ronco whose contract closes in early September.
For information on USAID/OTI's program in Afghanistan, visit: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/transition_initiatives/country/afghan/index.html
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