Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) –West Weekly Report, February 04-10, 2014

The program focuses on building the capacity of local governments, improving communication between district governments and residents, and supporting community development projects. Capacity building and coordination efforts were a key focus of the program during the week of February 4-10, 2014. In the Kushk Rabat-e Sangi District, the District Governor's representative provided project technical training to foremen and supervisors of three Community Development Councils (CDCs). Additionally, an introductory meeting was held with the new Muqur District Governor, who expressed his full support for the program and requested capacity building trainings for district government staff. In the Muqur District, the District Governor's representative visited a tailoring vocational training course in Cheshma Dozak village, where an overview of district government activities and achievements was provided. Following advocacy and concept note trainings, the Qarghach and Zad Naser CDCs successfully developed a concept note for their pipe scheme project, which was submitted to the National Area Based Development Program (NABDP) for further consideration. In the Badghis Province, the Muqur District Governor organized an anti-corruption meeting with 33 district government staff, highlighting the responsibilities of the district government in providing good services to residents. The District Governor also visited a tailoring vocational training course in Cheshma Dozak village, where an overview of district government activities and achievements was provided. Implementation of labor-intensive rehabilitation grants and vocational training courses was also a key focus of the program during the week. In the Qadis and Muqur Districts, CDCs implemented 64 labor-intensive rehabilitation grants, including aqueducts, culverts, irrigation, flood protection, and road rehabilitation projects. Additionally, CDCs implemented vocational training courses, including auto-mechanic, tailoring, carpentry, embroidery, and quilt making courses. In the Herat Province, the Kushk Rabat-e Sangi District Governor organized an anti-corruption drama on February 9th, aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of corruption and promoting the responsibilities of district government staff in combating corruption. Mr. Rashid Wahidi, the Pashtun Zarghun Executive Manager, visited the work progress of the protection wall refurbishment project in Khoja-Ha village, while Mr. Abdullah Nasrat, the Kushk Rabat-e Sangi Executive Manager, visited the work progress of the retaining wall refurbishment project in Khalawak Sofla village. Overall, the SIKA-West program continued to make progress in building the capacity of local governments, improving communication between district governments and residents, and supporting community development projects during the week of February 4-10, 2014.