Kabul 31 October 2006: In a recent contribution to UNDP's National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP), the USAID contributed US$ 5 million to bolster development and humanitarian activities for the people displaced by the recent fighting in Kandahar, especially in Panjwaye and Zharay districts. UNDP/NABDP will use the funds in close collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) to implement 64 humanitarian and development projects which are identified by Community Development Councils (CDCs). The projects will be implemented utilizing the existing National Solidarity Programme (NSP) mechanisms. Some organizations have already provided humanitarian assistances to victim families of the recent conflicts in Panjwaye and Zharay and there are many different estimates on the number of people in need for such assistance, MRRD will conduct a quick situation analysis and needs assessment in the affected areas based on which the type and coverage of humanitarian assistance will be determined. The second component of the programme is designed to ensure rehabilitation and recovery for sustainable livelihoods in the conflict affected areas, UNDP/NABDP will implement development projects in Panjwaye and Zharay districts. Besides, an assessment will be made of the damage done to vineyards and orchards in the area to plan for replacement where needed.
This contribution will extend the UNDP's NABDP in Kandahar Province to 31 October 2007. Previously the USAID funded NABDP with a US$ 3, 165, 309 to render various development projects in Kandahar. UNDP/NABDP aims to contribute to the sustainable reduction of poverty and improvement of livelihoods in rural Afghanistan, by empowering communities, through community institutions, to articulate and address their needs and priorities, and by helping to enable the Government of Afghanistan to support community-based rural rehabilitation and development in an integrated, people-focused, inclusive and participatory manner. The programme works toward this goal by supporting the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), in line with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and the UNDP Country Programme. The overall strategy is to support the establishment of an integrated planning and implementation framework for a comprehensive (multi-sector, multi-level and multi-agency), coordinated, pro-poor and progrowth approach to rural development.
For further information on this and other UNDP activities in Afghanistan please contact Akmal Dawi, Public Information Officer on 070201122 or email to akmal.dawi@undp.org