Rebuilding Afghanistan – Initiating comprehensive development processes

GTZ is conducting development-oriented emergency and transitional aid projects in five provinces in the north and north-east of Afghanistan. It is doing so on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

These are projects that generate fast and visible results in the areas of infrastructure, basic social services, such as education and health, and agricultural production. The initiatives are implemented first in selected priority districts from where a strong ripple effect can be expected. Communities in areas surrounding these core projects can submit project applications, some of which are financed by a district development fund. Following approval, the communities carry out these projects for themselves, with GTZ support. In order to reach more remote areas, another development fund using the same concept has been established at provincial level,.

Some 473 small-scale projects of all different kinds have been conducted in the north-east alone since 2007, including bridge and road building, the rehabilitation of water systems and clinics, the equipping schools, and employment promotion through training. These projects have considerable effects over wide areas and secure temporary sources of income for the population. Local administrations operate autonomously. From the outset, they have actively participated in rebuilding this region, which has been ravaged by 30 years of war. The success of the implemented projects is strengthening their resolve to fulfil their responsibility as the interface between state and society. Development-oriented emergency and transitional aid is creating a crucial structural framework for the sustainable reconstruction in Afghanistan.