The shelter construction in Afghanistan in swift progress
| 30. 07. 2009 |
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Six weeks have passed since the first distribution took place in the community number eight. In course of this period we visited all eight communities each one at a time and distributed stones for foundation and tools for each of 178 beneficiaries. By distribution in the village Bagh Zaghan in the community number four with 17 beneficiaries (29th of July ) we could finish the first batch of distribution. In this first butch we distributed 178 shovels, 178 pickaxes, 356 rubber buckets for water and 1 424 m3 of stones for foundation (356 trucks). Community number four with the villages Langar, Bagh Zaghan, Qala-e-Allah Rahim and Kharotti scattered in eastern plains is our largest community in terms of area.
During those weeks the beneficiaries worked hard to the construct their houses. Under supervision of our civil engineer they measured and dug the pit for foundations, built a foundation wall of provided stones and started with wall construction, which already has reached the height of upper level/part of windows and doors. By reaching this level, beneficiary accomplishes the condition and he is eligible for the material from second distribution. Some of beneficiaries for wall use the own sun-baking bricks, but majority is using the thick clay mud which they are putting in 50 cm layers. After getting dry mud became tough like stone. For facilitate distribution and decreasing the expenses for transportation, distribution takes place in the community at once. It is also essential for creating a spirit of cohesion, solidarity and collective responsibility for project implementation. It is in the interest of each beneficiary in the community to maintain the same pace and the same progress would be achieved in the families without men's labour.
Till today three communities have accomplished the condition for material from second distribution - all beneficiaries constructed wall, which reached the upper level of windows and doors. In the second distribution the beneficiaries receive two metal window frames, three metal doors, 4 pieces of metal lintels for windows and 8 pieces of metal lintels for doors. To meet the condition for the next distribution they have to lay the lintels, finish the wall till ceiling and fit the windows and doors. The second distribution already took the place in the community number eight (22.7.), community number six (26.7.) and community number one (28.7.). Next week the second distribution will take place in the community number seven.
The pace which the beneficiaries are constructing their shelters, their high engagement in project and their personal stories and experiences show, that this kind of assistance is essential and beneficiaries appreciate the help provided by Slovakia. Qarabagh district which is situated between Afghan capital and Baghram military and air base in nineties became a place of clash between fighting fractions and villages were often looted by fighting groups. The results of this armed clashes or direct Taliban's operation was total destruction of social and technical infrastructure in the district. 99% of houses were damaged or destroyed UNHCR statistics say.
One of the beneficiaries Azizullah Hbibullah of Qala-e-Qazi Bala village in the community number eight describes his life experience. He stands on the allotment where his old house had been built and where in the corner a new one is rising. He left Qala-e-Qazi Bala in 1999, when his house was burnt of by governmental troops. In neighbouring Iran he found the refuge, where he worked as a labour. "I had work, place where to live, but I was foreigner - it was not my country, not my home village," he is recalling memories about his life in Iranian Ishafan. This was also reason, why he decided to return back to home after fall of Taliban in 2002. Low salary, which he earns as seasonal labour on the field is enough to cover the daily expenses, but definitely not enough for covering the construction of new house, although this amount is not more than 950 Euro. Since his return back he has been living in ruins, where he built temporary shelter. The shelter he is pointing at is far cry even from Afghan standard. Although his new house will be smaller than older one, he is looking forward to move with his family back to house and to start normal and dignified life again.
Three years in Iran did spend also farmer Abdul Jabar Ali Khan a beneficiary from the community number one. After destroying his house by Talibs in later nineties he fled to Teheran, where he worked as a labour on construction sites. After returning to Afghanistan he lived for few years in Kabul, but in 2006 he decided to come back to his home village Qala-e-Sher situated on foothills of Kohi Pagman Mountains. Allotments which he shares with his brother they have already fenced. Also they have managed to build brother's house, where Abdula Jabar with his ten-member family is occupied one room. While his brother was able to build house on his own, Abdul Jabar received help from SlovakAid. He started with construction straight after finding that he had been selected and his name was on the list of approved beneficiaries. Despite being loaded with harvest, with brother's help he finished wall to appropriate height on time. "This assistance will not impact only me and my family, but also my brother and his family, after I will move from his room." is Abdul Jabar smilingly answering the question about essentiality of the assistance.