SIKA-WEST WEEKLY BULLET POINTS NO. 104: March 04-10, 2014

The program focused on rehabilitation of protection walls, culverts, and vocational training in Pashtun Zarghun District. A total of 12 projects were officially handed over to the Herat DRRD, including rehabilitation of six protection walls, one culvert, and five vocational trainings. The SIKA-West program also supported the Department of Women's Affairs in celebrating International Women's Day. Banners and brochures with gender and gender equality messages were distributed in Herat, Badghis, and Ghor Provinces. The program also provided training to government staff in meeting management skills, conflict resolution, and project management. In terms of grants, the SIKA-West program had approved 279 projects valued at $5,955,732 in ten target districts. Currently, CDCs were implementing 174 projects valued at $3,909,281. As of the reporting date, 80 projects valued at $898,534 were completed. The program also provided training to government staff in meeting management skills, conflict resolution, and project management. The SIKA-West program had a significant impact in the western region of Afghanistan. In Farah Province, 68 projects valued at $1,279,165 were approved by USAID in Bala Boluk, Pusht-e Rod, and Khak-e-Safayd Districts. In Badghis Province, 113 projects valued at $1,319,870 were approved by USAID in Qadis and Muqur Districts. In Herat Province, 73 projects valued at $2,137,652 were approved by USAID in Shindand, Kushk Rabat-e Sangi, and Pashtun Zarghun Districts. In Ghor Province, 25 projects valued at $1,219,045 were approved by USAID in Chaghcharan and Shahrak Districts. The SIKA-West program also supported the development of a communications plan for Shindand District. The plan was developed based on the IDLG Communications Strategy to create more effective communication in the district. The program also organized a radio round table to discuss the roles of youth in bringing peace, security, and development in the community.