SIKA-West Weekly Bullet Points No. 116: June 3-9, 2014

Shir Aqa Sarwari, organized a Hashar, a public voluntary scheme, to clean irrigation canals on June 4th. Over 120 villagers and 20 government staff participated in the effort, cleaning three canals in Rabat Sangi Ulya village that provide water for 3200 jeribs of land. The District Governor emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining peace and development in the area. In line with efforts to improve District Government service delivery, the SIKA-West Governance Department supported the Feroz Koh Passport Office and prepared a factsheet/guideline on criteria and steps for obtaining a passport. This initiative aims to facilitate the passport application process for residents. Discussions were also conducted with 12 Community Development Councils (CDCs) in Pashtun Zarghun District, who implemented flood protection walls, culverts, roads, and school rehabilitation projects. The CDCs expressed satisfaction with the projects, citing increased trust between the government and residents, as well as job opportunities created. The SIKA-West Community Development conducted a total of 17 project feasibility studies in Guzara, Qala-e-Naw, and Farah Center. The projects included roads, water dams, schools, flood protection walls, and small bridges rehabilitation. As of June 9, 2014, 294 projects valued at $6,652,978 have been approved by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) in ten target districts. Currently, 97 projects valued at $3,442,980 are being implemented by CDCs. Capacity building efforts continued, with training on "Media Relations" provided to 24 government staff on June 3rd. The training covered interview techniques and writing press releases. The SIKA-West Governance Department also continued mentoring District Government staff in the SIKA-West districts of operation, focusing on improving inventory/record keeping, organizational charts, report writing, and computer skills training. A consolidated report and list of SIKA-West gender-related activities were prepared and submitted to the Herat Department of Women's Affairs (DOWA) as part of the effort to improve coordination between the SIKA-West Gender Unit and DOWA. In Farah Province, the Bala Boluk District Governor, Mr. Sayed Mohammad, conducted an interview with the Farah Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on June 3rd, discussing the effectiveness of the first round Communications Plan. The Bala Boluk Youth Association organized a meeting with the Provincial Counter Narcotics Directorate (CND) and the Sayara Organization on June 8th, where they presented their anti-addiction campaigns. The CND and Sayara expressed interest in awarding small-scale awareness-raising projects to the Association. The SIKA-West Communications & Public Outreach Department will follow up on this issue and provide further updates. In Badghis Province, the Qadis District Governor, Mr. Saleh Mohammad Bik, organized a public meeting with 100 residents on June 5th, focusing on ways to improve security, create job opportunities, and eliminate violence against women. The participants proposed solutions, including providing literacy and vocational trainings, organizing awareness-raising campaigns, rehabilitating irrigation canals, and providing improved seeds and agricultural trainings for farmers. The Badghis Provincial Environment Directorate, with support from the SIKA-West Governance Department, marked the International Environment Day on June 5th, with over 300 attendees. Speeches emphasized the importance of environmental preservation and the roles of the people in protecting the environment.