Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) - Weekly Bullet Points No. 136

The document is a weekly bulletin, highlighting key activities and results from November 18-24, 2014. The Kohsan District Governor, Mr. Juma Gul Rahmani, organized an Anti-Poppy Cultivation and Drug Addiction Drama at the District School on November 18th. The drama aimed to raise awareness amongst district residents on the dangers of poppy cultivation and drug addiction. Additionally, the Lash Wa Juwayn District Health Department developed a guideline on how drug addicts can register with the Public Health Department and access treatment facilities. The Stabilization Programming Deputy Manager attended the USAID Implementing Partners Coordination meeting in Camp Arena on November 25th. An update of the recent SIKA-West activities, achievements, and challenges were shared. The Herat DRRD Director, Mr. Aqa Mohammad Sediqi, spoke about the good coordination between SIKA-West and DRRD and highlighted it as one of the successful MRRD programs. The SIKA-West program has made significant progress in implementing projects in the target districts. To date, 423 grant-funded projects valued at USD$9,512,518 have been identified and approved by MRRD and IDLG. CDCs and DDAs are implementing 150 projects valued at USD$4,621,369. 235 projects valued at USD$4,232,316 have been completed. Four projects valued at USD$194,081 are pending with the Vetting Unit for action. The SIKA-West team has also conducted monitoring activities, including M&E training for Shindand and Lash Wa Juwayn MRRD DSWs and DGOs. The training focused on proper methods of site inspection and data collection. The team also conducted 139 joint project site visits, yielding deficiencies that needed correction. In-line with tier 3 GIROA monitoring, the Chaghcharan, Kushk Rabat-e Sangi, Kohsan, Qadis, and Muqur District Governors called to 11 implementing CDCs to provide them an update on the progress of their projects. In Farah Province, the Lash Wa Juwayn District Governor organized a monthly coordination meeting with 13 line-departments on November 24th. The Agriculture Department reported they will soon distribute improved seeds to farmers. The District Governor pledged to share the challenges faced by the district, including lack of medicines, female doctors, and potable water, with the relevant departments at the provincial level for further action. In Badghis Province, the Qadis District Governor organized a monthly coordination meeting with line-departments on November 23rd. The discussion focused on the security concerns in the district and the lack of DDA involvement in district government activities. The DG asked the Village Manager to meet with DDA members and encourage them to participate in district government activities. In Ghor Province, the Ghor Department of Women’s Affairs (DOWA) will now take the lead and support District Government sponsored female Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC) in Chaghcharan. The female CRC provides an avenue for district women to report their grievances and request local government support. The document highlights various projects implemented by the CDCs, including the construction of canals, roads, and water intakes. These projects aim to improve access to water and agricultural lands for the local communities.