19 April 2010 - Citizens and officials from Herat, in western Afghanistan, joined hands to clean up the provincial capital, at an event organized by the Department of Public Works and the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

Upon completion of the project, Herat’s Mayor, Mohamed Salim Taraki, announced that “700 metric tons of garbage, three times more than in normal days” was collected.

Herat recently became a member of ‘1,000 cities-1,000 lives’ network, and the municipality vows to uphold the title by keeping the city clean.

The activity kick-started the global ‘1,000 cities-1,000 lives’ initiative by WHO, which aims at promoting a healthier lifestyle in urban areas. Other events are already planned for this year-round campaign.

To follow up on their commitment to improve the living environment of the population, city officials, UN staff and the public assembled the following day at the Governor’s office and walked east to the National Recreation Park.

Dr Rasooli, WHO’s head for the western region, explained the agency is building “a strong coordination with Herat government officials” to launch such events on a weekly basis.

The initiative aims at engaging citizens in activities that produce physical, mental and environmental health benefits; it also attempts to build a network of cities in the region, which will be selected as health-friendly cities.

Mazar, Kunduz and Jalalabad have already joined the initiative, to be a part of this network.

Mayor Taraki stressed that his office will strive to enhance public awareness and safeguard hygiene and sanitation. He also announced that the city would attempt to diminish any polluting and contaminating activity.

Taraki indicated that, in the future, polluting old cars will be collected, and brick factories will be relocated further away from the city. To underscore his commitment, the Mayor announced that anyone not following rules and policies would be prosecuted.

In 2007, the world’s population living in urban areas exceeded 50 per cent and it is projected that by 2030 two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities.

WHO endeavours to sensitize government officials and citizens to the significant increase in the number of urban residents. A rapid reaction is required to adapt to the already pressing challenges.

Mohammad Omar, 62, participated in the cleaning activity along with six of his neighbours.

He explained that “day by day, newcomers settle in the city. This is the modern way of life. The Government is not able to clean the city by itself. It requires a strong public effort.”

For citizens like Omar, public awareness campaigns are important for urban culture enhancement and he says he will strive to play an exemplary role in his city’s cleaning programmes in order to better face today the challenges of tomorrow.

By Fraidoon Poya, UNAMA