Progress continues in northeast Afghanistan

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (28 October 2009) – More than 200 mullahs, elders and villagers from the northern part of the Ali shing District met with Laghman provincial government officials and the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team during a shura hosted by the Ali shing sub-governor. The parties discussed several topics including the province’s “Green” Village Civil Development Plan, security and the upcoming Nov.7 run-off election, Oct.24.

The attendees listened to Mohammad Quasim, the Ali shing sub-governor speak on and describe the contract and clauses of the “Green” Village Civil Development Plan so each audience member understood what it takes to become “green” under the program.

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (28 October 2009) -- The Qala-e-Shaikhan Girl’s School Wall was completed, Oct. 26. The wall, which surrounds the facility, was put in place to provide a safer learning environment by keeping away dust, debris and other distractions from as many as 400 students who attend the school.

The construction of the wall also helped spur the local economy. As many as 50 persons were employed from the local area throughout the construction of the wall, which began in July. International Security Assistance Forces servicemembers utilized funds from the Commanders Emergency Relief Program and coordinated with guidance from the local Afghan government in order to complete this task.  

The wall was part of an effort by the Laghman Ministry of Education to bring the province’s educational institutions up to the latest standard and was nominated the Laghman province Director of Education.

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (28 October 2009) – Two anonymous local nationals took a step forward in attempting to keep their district safer by turning in a weapons cache to their district sub-governor. The weapons were then handed over to authorities at Forward Operating Base Blessing. The cache consisted of six rockets, five mines, 13 recoilless rifle rounds, and an improvised explosive device. The IED was the second device turned in by concerned local nationals in the past month.