Private voluntary organization (PVO) support project (306-0211) : activity approval memorandum (AAM)

The project, to be managed by the Office of the A.I.D. Representative, will consolidate the Rural Assistance (3060208) and PVO Co-Financing (3060201) projects, with new programmatic emphases on sustainability, strengthening of Afghan PVOs, complementarity with sectoral projects, greater support of U.S. over European PVOs, and service of underserved groups (women and minority and ethnic groups) and underserved areas. Objectives of the health component are to upgrade the quality and institutional sustainability of rural health services by retraining health workers; developing standards for the qualifications of health care workers and the staffing and equipment requirements for rural clinics; and coordinating with the USAID health sector program. The rural assistance component will consist of short-term activities to increase food availability and cash income for basic necessities. PVOs will rehabilitate small irrigation systems and rural roads; provide agricultural inputs, draught animals, and agricultural mechanization; improve access to basic necessities in disrupted or resettlement areas; and improve animal health care. Agricultural development efforts will focus on increasing agricultural production and rural incomes by projects to diffuse new technologies, increase the availability of mechanization, develop marketing channels and processing facilities, and develop or rehabilitate rural infrastructure. Grants will also be made for other activities (e.g., CARE"s food-for-work activities) that do not fall under the above sectors.