SIKA-West Weekly Bullet Points No. 114: May 20-26, 2014

The program aims to promote stability and economic growth in the region through various interventions. In Pashtun Zarghun District, the Rawandan CDC successfully rehabilitated the Ghahistan High School. In the week of May 20-26, 2014, several key activities were undertaken by the SIKA-West program. In response to a request from the Martyrs and Disabled Department, factsheets were prepared to inform victims of conflict on the steps needed to receive their pensions. These factsheets were distributed to Bala Boluk residents with the support of the SIKA-West Governance Department and in collaboration with the Farah DOLSA. Engineering and technical training was provided by Badghis DRRD personnel to CDC supervisors and project foremen from four CDCs in Feroz Koh on May 24th. The training covered project planning, site mobilization, and construction material quality, which will assist the CDCs in implementing their recently awarded grant-funded projects. Introductory Komite Sobate Woleswali meetings were held in Kohsan and Guzara Districts, with participation from the district governors, line-departments, DDA members, and influential district residents. The Stability Analysis Mechanism (SAM) training was provided to enable the participants to identify community major problems and propose solutions. The SIKA-West program has made significant progress in implementing projects in the region. To date, 292 projects valued at $6,564,507 have been approved by MRRD and IDLG in ten target districts. Currently, CDCs are implementing 115 projects valued at $3,843,043. A total of 158 projects valued at $2,151,256 have been completed, while eight projects valued at $463,878 have been pending with the USAID Vetting Unit since mid-March. Capacity building activities have also been a key focus of the SIKA-West program. Main Elements of Communication training was provided to 13 Qadis District government staff on May 20th, covering topics such as communication, messaging, and selecting audiences. Conflict Resolution Skills training was provided to 12 members of the Muqur female Conflict Resolution Committee on May 25th, focusing on mediation methods, negotiation skills, and conflict resolution techniques. The SIKA-West Governance Department mentored the Education and Agriculture Department staff on Annual Performance Appraisal (APA), providing further training to these staff to fill their APA and submit to the District Governor for review. In addition to these activities, the SIKA-West program has also been working to improve engagement with the community. Mr. Saleh Mohammad Bik, the Qadis District Governor, met with youth and sportsmen on May 20th, delivering speeches on the importance of sport to youths and asking them to encourage other youths to participate in sporting activities. The DG along with the youth's representative will meet with the Provincial Sport Department to share these concerns. The SIKA-West program has also been conducting project site visits, with DRRD DSWs, SIKA-West Engineers, and M&E personnel visiting 44 project sites. In Farah Province, the Bala Boluk District Governor organized the monthly coordination meeting with government line-departments on May 26th, informing them that the security situation is now normal in the district and asking them to resume their duties. The participants highlighted the roles of Ulema in bringing security in the district, and the DG will conduct a public meeting with Ulema to encourage them to support the government in bringing peace and stability in the community. In Badghis Province, the Muqur District Executive Manager and DRRD DSWs visited the recently completed road rehabilitation project in Abobakr Muhajer village, with the DEM expressing satisfaction with the quality of the project and asking the residents to pay attention to its maintenance. The DEM will invite representatives from this village to share their concerns at the next Komite Sobate Woleswali meeting. The Muqur DEM organized the monthly coordination meeting with line-departments on May 25th, asking each department to attend the Komite Sobate Woleswali meetings and listen to residents' concerns. In Herat Province, the SIKA-West Chief of Party met with the Shindand District Governor on May 22nd, with the DG appreciating the MRRD/IDLG Stability Program and requesting more support, particularly focusing on women empowerment. An appreciation letter was given to the DG to recognize his efforts in coordinating activities and cooperation with the SIKA-West. In response to the increase in poppy cultivation in Shindand District, Mr. Abdul Hameed Noor requested support from the SIKA-West program to address this issue.