AFGHANISTAN
Since the fall of the Taliban regime five years ago, reconstruction efforts and the restoration of security measures are being carried out both by the government and the international community. In the northern region of the nation where Peace Winds Japan undertakes relief operations, security has been maintained relatively well; but harmful events, including assaults, often occur in the south and southeastern parts of the country, affecting the overall security in Afghanistan. To ensure stability and the improvement of the condition of people's lives, the continued direct support of the international community is required.
PWJ distributing water in a villege.
(C)Peace Winds Japan
PWJ has operations in Afghanistan that have continued for more than five years. For example, in and around Sarepul province, PWJ carries out comprehensive development efforts such as the restoration of infrastructure, providing agricultural support and offering assistance for women. PWJ also has conducted research on water resources at the basin of the Sarepul River.
Reiko Hirai (right) accompanying
local children to draw water.
(C)Peace Winds Japan
To help restore infrastructure, PWJ built water tanks in regions where residents were suffering from chronic water shortages. In order to increase the income of farmers, PWJ nursed seedlings of almonds, walnuts and other crops for two years and then distributed them, along with the seeds of peas and beans, to farmers. Also, PWJ restored the seedling farming capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture of Sarepul; the Ministry then put seed, such as wheat, on display. Also, PWJ taught women skill in the areas of embroidery and sewing, and, one year ago, established a women's center that provided literacy education. Last, PWJ conducted training in areas of sericulture and the manufacture of silk products in villages nearby to Sarepul.
Due to severe drought in summer 2006, northern Afghanistan experienced drastic water shortages and as a result, serious damage was inflicted upon agriculture in that region. In response, PWJ launched the Food for Work project whereby people were given food for labor in the victimized villages - wheat and beans where distributed to residents who worked restructuring roads and water supply facilities. Furthermore, using a water wagon, PWJ delivered forty-five days worth of drinking water to a village struck particularly hard by water shortages. In conjunction with these emergency relief operations, PWJ continued its study of the Sarepul River basin in order to help pinpoint the most appropriate method of water utilization. To this effect, currently, PWJ collects data on changes taking place in water distribution and on the presence and quantity of existing water sources.
In 2007, PWJ plans to continue its relief operations in northern Afghanistan, focusing on the areas on and around Sarepul. Repair work on the seedling farm and water reservoir construction is scheduled to be completed in the latter half of the fiscal year; thereafter, PWJ will likely focus its operations on water resource research aimed at determining both efficient and effective water utilization.
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Reiko Hirai (Field representative of PWJ Afghanistan Project) |