Drought Response Programme in Hazarajat

Hazarajat is one of the poorest regions in Afghanistan; it has an unfavorable climate and rocky soil which poses challenges for farming. A very low percentage of the population can meet survival needs and have a surplus to save from their agricultural output. The poorest and most vulnerable people are landless or subsistence farmers. The area has experienced years of political sanctions, war and civil conflict along with 7 years of drought.

This has naturally impacted the local economy and drastically decreased livelihood opportunities. During this time the hardest hit demographics were those families that were looked after by the elderly or by women. The drought has ended and water has returned, but it will take many years to recover from the damages.

Addressing the situation, CWS-P/A started the project of drought response in April, 2007 in Hazarajat, specifically in the Panjab district of the Bamiyan Province and in the districts of Behsood I, Behsood II, and Daimirdad in the Wardak province. CWS –P/A has been working in Hazrajat for the last 5 years.

The purpose of the proposed project is to ensure the sustainable survival of the severely drought affected families.

The project will mitigate the most immediate food shortage of the 1,000 worst affected families through food packages and food for work programmes. Livelihood opportunities will be restored for 200 of the most vulnerable families the through provision of livestock. Water facilities will be provided for 1,000 families by rehabilitation and reconstruction of 15 water reservoirs. The project is supported by ACT, Canadian Food Grain Bank (CFGB), Presbyterian World Service for Development and CWS-P/A.