NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Faqueri, Nangarhar director of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Directorate, and the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team, met with the District Development Assembly chairmen from Nangarhar’s 22 districts on Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, Afghanistan, May 18.
During the meeting DDA members communicated their needs to the RRD Directorate, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, Nangarhar PRT commander, from Dallas.
“There have been many problems in Afghanistan over the past 30 years,” Anderson said. “Sometimes, no one can help. Sometimes, people can help only a little. But if you don’t ask, your government can’t know what you need.”
During the meeting, the DDA representatives filled out surveys over what they perceived as their districts’ largest shortcomings, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Fee, Nangarhar PRT civil military operations officer, from Virginia Beach, Va. The RRD director collected these surveys, and will use them to develop a strategic plan based on their results.
One issue concerned poppy eradication efforts in the province. Anderson made it clear combating poppy cultivation was a vital goal for both the Afghan government and coalition forces, but the initiative would fail without strong community support.
“We need men like you from the communities and the DDA shuras to fight poppies,” Anderson emphasized.
DDA members said they were thrilled at the opportunity to voice their concerns to the provincial government.
“This is a big achievement in Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Naeem, Hesarak District DDA chairman. “It’s one of the first times this many people have gotten together and told a director about their problems directly.”
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2011 18:58 |
| Story ID: | 70796 |
| Location: | NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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