SIKA-West Weekly Bullet Points No. 127: September 9-15, 2014

The studies were conducted in Mahale Dasht Village, Guzara District, for the Flood Protection Wall project; in Qala Mohammad and Genah Kan Villages in Farah Center for the School Rehabilitation Project; and in Takak Village, Qadis District, for the Bridge Construction Project. The District Governors successfully organized their independent Komite Sobate Woleswali meetings in Farah Center, Lash Wa Juwayn, Shindand, Guzara, Pashtun Zarghun, Kushk Rabat-e Sangi, Qadis, Muqur, Chaghcharan, and Shahrak. These meetings aimed to discuss community development projects and identify major problems in each district. The participants proposed various projects, including the provision of schools equipment, flood protection walls, and irrigation canals. The Qadis Education Department developed a guideline to facilitate the transfer of students between schools. This guideline was created to address the difficulties faced by residents in moving their children to different schools. The guideline provides detailed information on the process of transferring students, making it easier for families to navigate the system. As part of the SIKA-West support for the Herat DRRD, the construction work of a 24-meter perimeter wall for Herat DRRD began on September 16th and is expected to be completed by October 7th. The DRRD Director, Mr. Aqa Mohammad Sediqi, expressed his satisfaction with the MRRD/IDLG Stability Program activities and achievements at the district and provincial levels, and requested more cooperation and support. The SIKA-West program has made significant progress in various areas. To date, 315 projects valued at $7,273,884 have been approved by MRRD and IDLG in target districts. Currently, CDCs are implementing 71 projects valued at $3,026,975. A total of 214 projects valued at $3,248,406 have been completed, and 25 projects valued at $1,214,353 are pending with the USAID Vetting Unit for action. The Community Development Department supported an MRRD District Social Worker (DSW) led Project Management Training (PMT) for six CDCs in Pashtun Zarghun and Kushk Rabat-e Sangi Districts. Following this training, the CDCs will receive their first milestone payments to start their projects. Additionally, Mr. Akhtar Mohammad, the Bala Boluk District Agriculture Manager, provided training on Plant Pest and Diseases to 15 farmers, teaching them new methods to fight plant diseases. In Farah Province, the Farah Deputy Provincial Governor led the Farah Center Komite Sobate Woleswali meeting, where participants analyzed their previous identified major problems and proposed 16 projects. The SIKA-West Communications & Public Outreach Department will support the youth to establish a local Radio Station in Farah Province. In Badghis Province, the Muqur District Governor inspected the work quality of the road rehabilitation project in Jahan Dosti village, and the participants proposed several new projects, including roads, flood protection walls, and irrigation canals. The Achakzai Ha CDC completed 82% of a 3-KM road rehabilitation project in Dar Band Safid Village in Qadis District on September 14th. The Tapa Shirin CDC completed 48% of the School Rehabilitation Project in Tapa Village, Pusht-E Rod District on September 14th. The Zer Joie Doken CDC successfully completed 70% of the Chapak Doken Primary School Refurbishment Project in Pusht-E Rod District.