PRT assesses progress in Maiwand District

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.29.2011

Story by Chief Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Kandahar

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Leaders from the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team met with United States Agency for International Development and International Security Assistance Force representatives to assess progress in the Maiwand District at Combat Outpost Hutal, Maiwand province, May 29.

The PRT learned from the coalition forces living and operating in the battlespace what issues and challenges exist in the desert-like district on the road between Kandahar City and the Helmand Province.

“This meeting is significant because it is the first time the PRT has gone out to the customer firsthand to discuss all the issues regarding governance, reconstruction and development in the Maiwand District,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Harold Groff, a physician and engineer for the Kandahar PRT from San Diego. “Normally these meetings were held via a video teleconference. This helps us to get a more complete understanding of the problems involved.”

The district has seen its share of issues, but it has also seen some successes. One example is that the medical clinic in Hutal is doing a satisfactory job of meeting the needs of the townspeople.

We have improvements in security and the district government has done a better job of understanding the local issues and has been more proactive in addressing concerns, said Carlos Terrones, the Maiwand District support team chief for USAID.

In an effort to stop the cycle of dependency, the district government is moving away from cash-for-work programs. Instead, a small credit union in town gives microloans to citizens so they have the funding necessary to start and complete their own projects. Additionally, the district governor has focused on small grants of aid instead of large infrastructure projects that are hard to maintain.

“Large infrastructure projects are being deemphasized, small business grants and capacity building are being emphasized,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col Tad Stephen from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the village stability coordination center-south chief for the Maiwand District from the Coalition Forces Special Operations Center Component Command-Afghanistan.

Future projects may include small scale education projects, creation of a mobile health clinic, agriculture training and improving the judicial system.

We want to focus on realistic goals that the people can accomplish in the next three years, said Ben Moeling, the civilian director of the Kandahar PRT from Norwalk, Conn.

After the meeting, the PRT tour conducted a dismounted patrol to the district center and the local police headquarters. They also toured a demonstration farm at the district agriculture center.

“The demonstration farm gives the local farmers a look at what crops grow in the area, and ideas for irrigation and crop maintenance,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Bogue, the PRT agriculture expert from White, S.D. “It develops the ability to increase their income through alternative crops, so they can grow something other than poppy.”

The PRT collects the information in meetings and tours like these throughout the province in preparation for future meetings with district and provincial leaders.

• Date Taken: 05.29.2011
• Date Posted: 06.01.2011 00:57
• Story ID: 71390
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF