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 As American and NATO forces launch new rebuilding operations in the western Afghan city of Herat, relief and development agencies continue their work throughout this impoverished country.
December 1, American, British, German and New Zealand troops were deployed to Herat as well as the provinces of Badghis, Farah, and Ghor. There they hope to encourage the reconstruction projects like schools and health clinics and to try and stabilize the country around the country’s weak central government before next year’s elections.
Meanwhile aid agencies like World Vision have continued to work privately to help average Afghanis improve their lives. Serving in many of the same regions, World Vision has distributed food and relief items to some half million people. In addition, the “Healthy Families at Home” project provides health education and training in food security and water systems development to equip, empower and mobilize families to work toward increased stability and independence.
About 2,500 families are involved in World Vision cash-for-work programs, which pays community members for work in improving local infrastructure. More than 10,000 families in rural areas also are receiving farming tools and seeds as well as agricultural training.
“Few places are more difficult than Afghanistan right now,” said communications specialist Daniel Gregory. “But the people here are determined to take advantage of the new freedoms they have to try and rebuild their communities and their lives.”
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