JALALABAD  - The United Nations agency responsible for promoting environmentally and socially sustainable cities and towns recently completed construction of several development projects, benefitting some 50,000 people in Afghanistan’s eastern regional hub of Jalalabad.

“We are immensely happy that, with the improved drainage system, we no longer have to face problems during the rainy season,” said a beneficiary, Nurzaman, a resident of Zone 4 of Jalalabad City.

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT) implemented the 11 projects, completed over the past two years and ranging from road rehabilitation to the construction of culverts and water canals, as well as shelters for vulnerable people, according to the UN agency’s manager in Jalalabad, Niamatullah Rahimi.

The projects, implemented in close collaboration with the Jalalabad Municipality, were partly funded by the European Union.

Speaking at a handover ceremony earlier this month, another local resident, Hamidullah Karimi, said the newly completed projects will help improve living conditions of local residents “as rehabilitated roads will reduce the level of dust, and improved drainage systems will help in eliminating contamination and mosquitos.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the provincial governor, Ataullah Ludin, lauded the “valuable work” of the UN agency and the municipality in “improving the lives of the local people and enhancing the beauty of the city.”

Working in partnership with communities across Afghanistan since 1992, UN-HABITAT has invested in providing basic services, including shelter, potable water and skills training across the country despite decades of armed conflict and war. It has worked closely with the Government of Afghanistan and local authorities on a wide range of projects, strengthening institutional capacity, policy support and addressing governmental priorities.