Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) – West Quarterly Report January 1 – March 31, 2013

The program is administered through the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) in cooperation with the Independent Directorate of Local Government (IDLG) and USAID. The purpose of the program is to achieve four Intermediate Results (IRs) listed in the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and to implement numerous activities towards achieving these indicators. During the quarter of January to March 2013, the program was able to implement numerous activities towards achieving PMP indicators. With support from the recently appointed MRRD SIKA-West Regional Coordinator, and an ongoing revision of processes and procedures, the program was able to implement numerous activities. Representatives from nine Community Development Councils (CDCs) received Project Cycle Management courses in the Farah Provincial Center as part of preparations for the first milestone payments for grants in Bala Boluk District. Coordinating with MRRD and other GIRoA line ministries, 18 stabilization working sessions were held for 984 District Stabilization Committee (DSC) members and community observers in seven districts: Pusht-e Rod, Bala Boluk, Shindand, Kushk Rabat-e Sangi, Pashtun Zarghun, Muqur, and Qadis. The meetings provided an opportunity for training in the use of the Stabilization Analysis Mechanism (SAM) tool to identify Sources of Instability (SOIs) and propose mitigating activities. During the quarter, 12 additional projects put forward by DSC members were approved by the Pusht-e Rod DRRD and are included in the latest District Project Portfolio submitted to USAID for approval. Communications & Public Outreach training and activities were a major focus during the quarter, with 30 communications trainings conducted for 571 district entity staff members, youth, and women from Farah, Herat, and Badghis Provinces. Trainings focused on building communications skills, outlining the importance of communications in the daily work of the district government, and designing communications plans. A one-page handout entitled 'Building Bala Boluk District's Future' was developed, highlighting services provided by the Bala Boluk District government. The one-pager was distributed by the District Governor to tribal elders and other influential people at a major Shura on January 15th. As part of progress toward implementing District Project Portfolio (DPP) activities, SIKA-West staff undertook a number of pre-feasibility studies, technical site surveys, designs, and drawings for various projects. These studies aimed to identify potential project sites and assess their feasibility for implementation. The results of these studies will be used to inform the selection of project sites and to develop detailed project proposals for submission to USAID for approval. The program's progress towards achieving the four Intermediate Results (IRs) is being closely monitored and evaluated through regular meetings with MRRD and other GIRoA line ministries. The program's performance is also being assessed through the use of the Stabilization Analysis Mechanism (SAM) tool, which provides a framework for identifying Sources of Instability (SOIs) and proposing mitigating activities. The program's progress will continue to be reported on in future quarterly reports.