Stability in Key Areas (SIKA) – West Weekly Report, Jan 3-9, 2013

The program is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In Farah Province, the program achieved several milestones during the period of January 3-9, 2013. The fourth Pusht-e Rod DSC meeting was held on January 6th, with participation of 50 people, including 17 DSC members, 19 District Entities representatives, and 14 observers. The meeting aimed to discuss the prioritization of projects recommended by the DSC members, and after a long discussion, the canal excavation of Massow, protection wall of Panj Joft Gow, and Shah-r Kohna water dividers were prioritized as the first three projects. Poppy cultivation was identified as one of the Sources of Instabilities (SOIs), and introducing crops to farmers to replace poppy cultivation was recommended as a mitigating activity. The sixth Bala Baluk DSC meeting was held on January 8th, with participation of 37 people, including 18 DSC members, 12 District Entities representatives, and 7 observers. The objectives of the meeting were to provide the District Project Portfolio (DPP) status to DSC members, discuss the Community Development Councils (CDCs) roles in project implementation, and ask the DSC members to support the SIKA-West technical staff and its implementing partners in terms of security during the projects implementation. The DSC members appreciated the MRRD/SIKA-West and expressed their full commitments. In Badghis Province, the program achieved several milestones during the period of January 3-9, 2013. A team of HQ staff traveled to Badghis Province on January 6th to prepare for the second Qadis and Moqur inaugural DSC meetings. Orientation trainings were provided to Badghis PST and DST staff, including Intro to Stabilization Program, Communications, M&E, Resource Development, and Human Resources. The second Qadis DSC meeting was held on January 8th, with participation of 51 people, including 29 DSC members and 22 influential community leaders. The meeting aimed to identify SOIs, root causes, and mitigation activities to address these SOIs. In Herat Province, the program achieved several milestones during the period of January 3-9, 2013. A meeting was held with Herat DRRD Director on January 5th to discuss the second Kushk-e Rabat Sangi and fourth Shindand DSC meetings. The second Kushk-e Rabat Sangi DSC meeting was held on January 7th, with participation of 54 people, including 35 DSC members, 2 District Entities representatives, and 15 observers. The District Governor announced his full support and asked the DSC members to collaborate with the Stability Program. The fourth Shindand DSC meeting was held on January 8th, with participation of 53 people, including 15 DSC members, 32 District Entities representatives, and 6 observers. The program also achieved several milestones in terms of hiring and recruitment. In Farah Province, 31 employees (7 female, 24 male) have been hired, and 8 positions are being recruited. In Badghis Province, 15 employees (2 female, 13 male) have been hired, and 19 positions are being recruited. In Herat Province, 26 employees (5 female, 21 male) have been hired, and 8 positions are being recruited. The program also faced several challenges during the period of January 3-9, 2013. In Farah Province, the feasibility survey of 500m Massow canal excavation/reshaping featured in DPP #1 in Pusht-e Rod District was canceled due to insecurity. In Herat Province, the Kushk-e Rabat Sangi DSC members and District Governor did not support the MRRD/SIKA-West program. The program has several forward-looking activities planned for the next period. In Farah Province, the feasibility survey of Panj Joft Gaw canal protection wall featured in DPP #1 in Pusht-e Rod District is planned to be conducted. In Badghis Province, the Moqur DSC inaugural meeting is planned to be conducted on January 9th. In Herat Province, the Pashtun Zarghun District Profile is planned to be circulated to the managers and USAID for review.