28 October 2010 - Donors and government representatives met in Qal E Naw city on 17 October to mobilize resources and coordinate development in Badghis province, western Afghanistan.

A large delegation flew from Kabul and Herat to attend the meeting organized by provincial authorities with the support of the United Nations’ Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development and the United States Agency for International Development.

Participants were briefed by six different provincial departments including key areas of health, education and agriculture.

“Badghis is perhaps the second or third poorest province in the country” declared Delbarjan Arman, Badghis governor, “however, the province has considerable natural resources”.

The provincial authorities seek the assistance of the central government and its international partners to build upon the province’s assets such as the pistachio jungle, the carpet industry or minerals, to develop three priority sectors: access to electricity, safe water and asphalting of roads.

Members of the central government’s delegation, which included the minister of economy and the minister of labour and social affairs, announced a number of development plans to be implemented in the province.

The deputy minister for water and energy, engineer Gulham Farrouk Qazizada, indicated that, within 18 months, 25,000 families would gain access to electricity through a contract with neighbouring Turkmenistan. He also announced funds for the building of 10 new dams had recently been allocated by Kabul.

Azita Rafat, Member of Parliament elected in Badghis province, cautioned the participants against the promises made: “I remember five years ago, another delegation came form Kabul to Badghis and promised support in the very areas we are discussing today: safe water, electricity and roads. Yet nothing has been done.” She concluded her remark by saying: “I just hope we do not need to wait five more years to see change come.”

It will take time to assess the support the province will muster following the forum, but the provincial authorities have clearly shown their intent to receive the attention of the central government and its international partners.

After Farah, Badghis is the second province in western Afghanistan where a donors' meeting has been organized. Another event will be held in Ghor province in coming months.

By Fraidoon Poya & Henri Burgard, UNAMA