Maruf District, Afghanistan – July 9, 2009 – In drought prone Afghanistan, water is a vital requirement to sustain life just as air is and it is a necessary and important component for agricultural, domestic and industrial use in this environment. For centuries, the people residing in southern Afghanistan built elaborate systems of underground canals and wells to transport and distribute ground water to their villages and irrigate their land called “karezes.” Thirty years of war and neglect as well as a drought lasting for several years have left many of the karez systems in disrepair, clogged and no longer functioning.

The people of Maruf District in Kandahar Province sought assistance from various government and international agencies to repair their karez system without success until the IRD COCB field staff mobilized to the area to execute community support program activities for a USAID funded 82 kilometer road rehabilitation project from Bakah to Maruf being implemented by IRD. Working with Community Development Groups and the local communities, a concept paper was prepared providing clear justification for the award of a Community Based Small Grant to the Cheena Community Development Group (CDG) to implement two karez cleaning projects.

The residents of Cheena and Chodai Villages implemented these two projects in less than 2-1/2 months and the projects created 4,860 unskilled and 120 skilled employment man days for the residents of Maruf District. The inherent quality of a karez system is that it is communal. The local communities participate in its upkeep and maintenance and share the water. The two karezes are now functioning and in use. For the first time in decades, these community members have easy access to water to sustain the needs of their villages.

In addition to drinking water, the karezes are expected to improve economic productivity by increasing crop and orchard yields, providing water for livestock and domestic animals and also result in a cost savings for families who can grow their own vegetables for personal consumption.

It is important to note that the villagers participating in this project funded by the American people through USAID now have a sense of ownership and satisfaction in that they were able to contribute something to improve their community. The IRD Community Outreach group works closely with local elders, community leaders and community members to involve them in identifying and addressing priority needs as well as involving them in the decision making process resulting in a sense of ownership and confidence. The karez cleaning projects are people driven.

Six additional projects are currently being considered for implementation in the Southern region of Afghanistan.

The USAID funded SPR-SEA Program currently being implemented by IRD designs and issues locally appropriate small grants that target those living within the Zone of Influence of each road rehabilitation project to facilitate skills development, assist the agriculture sector, provide employment opportunities and foster community support for each road project.