ADRA Slovakia is already present in Afghanistan
| 03. 06. 2009 |
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Since 26th of May the Slovak project manager Marek Soos started his working mission in Afghanistan. His duty is to cooperate on implementation of the project "Reintegration of Returnees and IDPs in Qara-bagh" together with the local ADRA Afghanistan team. Marek has just spent first week in Afghanistan, visited project site and he is getting used to environment, where is he going to spend six following months.
At the beginning of May the selection of beneficiaries - 178 families was launched in 62 villages of Qarabagh district in Kabul province. Since then three field workers are visiting individual beneficiaries, who had been proposed by the local government - shura (group of leaders and community representatives). The shura had also decided to divide the assistance to all villages equally, proposed and composed the list of suitable returnees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Visiting beneficiary the field workers receive the original letter from the UNHCR which shows that the person is either Returnee or IDP. This letter is then attached to the questionnaire which provides closer information about the situation in beneficiary's family. This form is confirmed by beneficiary's fingerprint, or if is he capable with his signature. Some of the beneficiaries had been selected from the vulnerable families, although they do not meet the criterion of being returnees or IDPs. After whole list of beneficiaries is being checked by field workers, it will be reconfirmed by local shura and also by district shura, which had proposed the first orientative list. This way the whole cycle of selecting and verifying will be completed.
The first village which we visited during our monitoring trip is Bagh i Elam, where four families had been proposed. In the picture one can see one of the selected families and the plot, where the previous house had stood, before the family fled the country. Nowadays the widow (dressed in traditional "burka" which also covers the face) with her six children is living next-door at the place of her relative. The closest male relative is helping her to process all regarding issues.
In the course of our second monitoring visit with our field workers and Afghan project manager Mr Zahir we visited villages Sardar Big and Meian Joyee Bala. The procedure is the same everywhere. Beneficiaries provide the UNHCR confirmation and field workers make survey by filing up questionnaire. According to Mr Zahir this phase will be completed by the next Monday. One of the beneficiaries who lost his house whilst being in the refugee camp in Pakistan, after returning is living at his brother's place. In one room with the length of 4 metres and width of 2,5 metres there are parents with their six children living all together. However they live very simple and modestly - the hall is used also as a kitchen, everything is clean and in order. Family values everything what they possess and appreciates the assistance which Slovakia will provide for them.
Each beneficiary will receive one material for construction at a time - cement bag, planks, beams, pipes, metal doors and windows. They can choose between sun-burnt bricks which will be made on their own, or more traditional wall made of clay (mud). The houses will be identical and in accord with the regulations of UNHCR, which determine the norms for this kind of living. Project team will provide consultancy and supervision during the construction and also will manage material distribution in each working period. All constructors will receive tools for work - bucket, shovel and pickaxe, which are necessary to dig and process the clay. Part of the materials has been already purchased and is prepared in hired storehouse in Kabul.
The Kabul province is considered as one of the most secure provinces within the Afghanistan. People are friendly, hospitable and we have not met any expression of grudge or hostility. The inhabitants of Qarabagh district belong to Pashto ethnic group, however, in contrast to Pashtuns which live on the south, they do not support the Taliban and other expression of extremism. So far it seems that the Slovak assistance is welcomed and cooperation will be without difficulties.
Daniel Dräxler, Kabul
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