SIKA-West Weekly Bullet Points No. 151: March 3-9, 2015

The program aims to improve access to basic services, promote economic growth, and enhance stability in the region. The SIKA-West program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented in partnership with the Afghan government and local communities. The program focuses on improving infrastructure, providing training and capacity building, and promoting economic development. In the Farah Province, the program has supported the construction of roads, culverts, and flood protection walls, which have improved access to the provincial center for over 13,000 people. In the Badghis Province, the program has supported the construction of flood protection walls, which have protected 41 jeribs of farmland and 125 homes from seasonal floods. The SIKA-West program has also supported the rehabilitation of schools, including the Khawja Abdullah Bidar High School in Chen Farsee village, Pusht-e Rod District. The program has also provided training and capacity building to community development councils (CDCs) and district development assemblies (DDAs), which have enabled them to implement projects and provide services to their communities. In addition to infrastructure development and capacity building, the SIKA-West program has also promoted economic development through the provision of grants and subcontracts to CDCs and DDAs. The program has supported the implementation of 189 projects valued at AFN 254,323,750/USD$5,086,475, which have benefited over 931,555 residents across the target districts. The program has also supported the completion of 274 projects valued at AFN 278,262,190/USD$4,866,690, which have benefited over 558,996 residents. The SIKA-West program has also engaged with local communities through the establishment of mixed Komite Sobate Woleswali (KSW) meetings, which bring together government officials, community leaders, and residents to discuss community problems and identify solutions. The program has also supported the establishment of a hotline and a service provider catalog in the Herat Province, which have improved access to information and services for residents. Overall, the SIKA-West program has made significant progress in improving access to basic services, promoting economic growth, and enhancing stability in the western regions of Afghanistan. The program's focus on community development, capacity building, and economic development has enabled it to achieve its objectives and make a positive impact on the lives of residents in the region.