84 Rural Development Projects for 21 Provinces

Kabul – Wednesday 22 August 2007,

Rural Rehabilitation and Development Minister Mohammad Ehsan Zia of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan signed 84 rural development projects contracts worth 12,484,881 USD with private companies.

In its rural development work, MRRD adheres to a people-centered approach, integrated and sustainable forms of development, environmental protection, gender equality and a respect for and promotion of traditional local indigenous culture, said the Minister.” The aims of these projects are to apply an integrated and participatory development approach to rural communities and to enhance the sustainable development capacity of people in poverty-stricken areas.”

Today’s announced projects include the construction of: 7 clinics, 6 clean drinking water networks, 218 wells, 2,375 meters long retaining walls, 1 water reservoir, 30,000 trees, 7 school buildings with the capacity of 16 classrooms, 8 school buildings with the capacity of 8 classrooms as well as the construction of  2 high school buildings, gravelling and asphalting of 33 km long road,  540 meters long 8 bridges,1 rural enterprise research project, 1 government building and the procurement of information technological equipments.

These projects will be implemented in the provinces of: Badghis, Bamyan, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Pajsheer, Takhar, Daa-e-Kundi, Sar-e-Pul, Samangan, Faryab, Ghoor, Farah, Kabul, Kapesa, Kunduz, Kandahar, Kunar, Maidan Wardak and Nengarhar.

 The completion period for these projects is expected to be 6 months – creating an estimated 26,000.00 labour days immediate employment and in the longer-term benefiting thousands of rural people.

The funding for these projects comes from UNICEF, UNDP, USAID, CNTF, EC, INDIA, JAPAN, NORWAY, CANADA, UNOPS and from the ordinary budget of MRRD itself.