Panjshir PRT aids local villages

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (February 24, 2009) – In response to a recent snowstorm in Panjshir province’s Paryan District that killed three people, injured two and displaced 18 families, the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team provided the villagers with humanitarian assistance.

The storm impacted 111 villages and nearly 46,000 residents in Paryan District. The lives of nearly 60,000 cows, sheep and goats were also affected. The snowstorm blocked the resident’s roads and damaged infrastructure, hindering emergency response procedures.

As a result, Provincial Governor Alhaj G. Bahlol convened an emergency disaster management meeting at his compound in Bazarak District to coordinate efforts between various sectors such as public health, agriculture, the Afghan National Police, and the PRT. The intent of the meeting was to quickly position relief supplies to the displaced families and villages cut off from access to the main road.

“The governor handled this situation with initiative and vision. He demonstrated provincial leadership caring about its population’s well being,” said Lt. Col. Mark Stratton, PRT Panjshir’s commander. “The governor’s quick ability to bring together representatives from a variety of backgrounds will ultimately sustain the livelihood of the people affected by this snowstorm.”

While the provincial and district leaders planned the logistics behind the relief effort, the PRT simply provided the Afghan leadership with winter supplies for distribution to the families, items such as blankets, clothes, boots, charcoal, and flour.

“The winter is a challenging season for the people living in these remote villages. As a good neighbor, when situations like this happen, we like to do what we can to assist as soon as possible,” said Master Sgt. Blue Rowe, PRT Panjshir civil affairs non-commissioned officer in charge.

The PRT, through close coordination with the provincial government is making future winters easier for the valley’s 300,000 residents through the construction of a 70 kilometer primary road that connects Panjshir to the Badakhshan province. This road will also ultimately expand Panjshir’s economic opportunities and improve the future of the people here.

Eventually the “rib roads” will also be paved, connecting the remote villages in the side valleys to this new main road. Once complete, these road projects will improve the provincial government’s ability to respond to emergencies quickly by providing easier access to the population.  The groundbreaking for these new primary roads segments will be this spring and one day they will provide access to all neighboring provinces. 

“In the future, because of these roads, not only will the province prosper economically, but it will be easier for the government to take care of its people and infrastructure, especially during times of natural disaster,” said Stratton.