Afghans set out their plans for Nad Ali

24 February 2010

The Governor of Helmand Province in Afghanistan, Gubal Mangal, today set out his vision for the long-term stabilisation and rebuilding of the Nad Ali district to capitalise on the gains made by Afghan and allied forces, just 12 days after Operation Moshtarak was launched to clear the Taliban from a major stronghold in the area.

These plans will include both immediate projects such as new ‘cash-for-work’ programmes, as well as longer term programmes, such as new schools and support for farmers to grow summer crops.

Civilian experts supported by DFID, the wider UK Government, and coalition partners are in Helmand to help the Afghan Government achieve its aims in areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure and justice.

The Afghan plan includes:

• A quadrupling the number of government officials permanently based in Nad Ali and Marjah. This is a major step - in many villages people have not seen Afghan government officials in over 30 years. The Afghans are already recruiting civil servants to carry out their programme and plans are in place to build government offices.
• Regular shuras, or village meetings, that will help local people set out their needs for the future.
• The Afghan ministry of education sending teachers allocated to schools in the area. UK stabilisation experts will assist by providing practical help such as "schools in a box" – instant packs containing a blackboard, chalk, ruler and notebooks and materials for the teacher.   A school bag, notebooks, pens and crayons, rulers and pencil sharpeners for pupils.   
• British and US civilian experts providing advice on repairing essential infrastructure - bringing schools back into use, refurbishing health clinics and improving irrigation systems.
• Proposals to help 27,000 farmers, who will receive alfalfa seed, maize and summer vegetables, helping them to move away from poppy growing.
• Cash-for-work programmes are being started up by Afghan local government.

These will give jobs to local people to help make immediate improvements to services, such as repairs to canals which provide water for the fields but which have suffered years of neglect.

Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander said: “The aim of Operation Moshtarak is clear – to put the Government of Afghanistan back in charge of Nad Ali District.

“The Operation is going well but the Government of Afghanistan must now prove that it offers a better, fairer and more effective alternative to the Taliban.

“The plan for Nad Ali will help people help themselves, through education, jobs and better health services.

“It is will not be completed overnight but the Afghan people are starting to make progress towards building a better future.”