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GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Subgovernors from the Giro, Qara Bagh, Muqor and Gelan districts met with ISAF servicemembers during a shura at the Muqor District Center to discuss security and development for their districts, Jan. 12.
This group meets monthly with Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team and Polish service members with Task Force White Eagle to discuss the common issues of their districts.
"Our biggest challenge here is security," said Fazel Rahman, Gelan district subgovernor. "Security is not only a challenge here; it's a challenge across Afghanistan."
ISAF has launched a series of operations in these districts which are located in southern Ghazni. With Afghan National Security Forces leading these operations, combined action efforts have begun to restore security to these challenging regions, which previously had been infrequently patrolled by ANSF or ISAF.
"I agree with the need for security in these areas," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Wilson Marks, the Ghazni PRT commander. "Economic growth and security go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. Without proper security, it's difficult to get contractors into those areas to do projects."
While the PRT is not specifically tasked with providing security, the United States Agency for International Development representatives, who work with the PRT, offer capacity building programs that support self-help efforts in local villages and could potentially lead to increased future security.
One such program run by USAID is a small community grant program.
"These are projects that can be done by communities as rewards for cooperating with the government. We can create projects such as karez cleaning, digging new wells, or irrigation projects. The benefit of these projects is that it provides jobs very quickly. Subgovernors can help coordinate and show support to the government. Meanwhile, we can do projects in the more secure areas and hopefully that will expand and create more security. Then, we can go in and do even bigger projects. We think that in time, this will help security overall."
In order to ensure the local population receives the maximum economic and security benefits from these development projects, PRT leaders also stressed the importance of following planning ahead when requesting help with local projects.
"We can build schools and clinics and provide medications but you have to plan and budget for them," said Polish Col. Andre Jarosz, Deputy Commanding officer for the PRT. "You have to make requests in advance for maintenance and operational costs. Use the Afghan government first. It's your responsibility to plan in advance and send in the requests to the proper government officials."
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2010 09:46 |
| Story ID: | 43879 |
| Location: | GHAZNI, AF |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 122 |
This work, Ghazni PRT, local gov't plan to improve economy, security, by MSgt Sarah Webb, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
