Officials Discuss Water Resource Development and Management at National Conference in Afghanistan
Posted by Robert Sauers / December 10, 2010
![Second Vice President Khalili addresses water conference in Kabul, Dec. 7, 2010. [Embassy Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1210_kabul_water_conf_m.jpg)
About the Author: Robert Sauers serves with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Afghanistan.
Second Vice President H.E. Abdul Karim Khalili and Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry joined a host of Afghan officials other international representatives assembled at the Second National Conference on Water Resources Development and Management of Afghanistan held at the Ministerial Palace on December 7 to celebrate progress made toward managing vital water resources in Afghanistan.
The goal of the conference was to foster collaboration among key organizations to address Afghanistan's water resource development and management challenges with the primary objectives of reducing poverty and improving public welfare.
Addressing more than 200 conference participants, 2nd Vice President Khalili said, "Afghanistan as a developing country… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Recognizing Community Health Workers in Afghanistan
Posted by Robert Sauers / December 05, 2010
![USAID commends community health workers during annual celebration, Dec. 5, 2010. [USAID Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1205_health_workers_m.jpg)
About the Author: Robert Sauers serves with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Afghanistan.
In support of the United Nations designated International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health celebrated its annual Community Health Worker Day on December 5, 2010. Acting Minister of Public Health Dr. Suraya Dalil, USAID Senior Deputy Mission Director Robert Hellyer, other government officials, and international donors joined in recognizing the critical contribution of community health workers in Afghanistan and encouraging them to continue their voluntary support to their communities.
The event praised the contributions of the more than 22,000 volunteers throughout the country who deliver community level health-education, counseling, and services out of village health posts located… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Refrigerated Containers Open the World’s Markets to Fresh Fruit From Afghanistan
Posted by Joyce Kim / December 04, 2010
![Men pack pomegranates into boxes at factory in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2007. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1204_pome_afghan_m.jpg)
About the Author: Joyce Kim serves with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Kabul, Afghanistan.
On December 3, 2010, Afghan farmers and merchants took an important step forward in world trade by exporting Afghanistan's first-ever, 40-foot refrigerated container ("reefer") of pomegranates, destined for buyers in Canada. Subsequent reefer shipments will go to Dubai and Holland through the seaport in Karachi, Pakistan.
Canadians will soon enjoy the juiciest and tastiest pomegranates from Afghanistan. In the past, exporting chilled fresh fruit to distant markets was impossible, because Afghanistan did not have the required cold-chain infrastructure, trade agreements, or skilled merchants. Now, however, the U.S. Government is assisting with the infrastructure and trade policy essentials for Afghan exports of chilled fresh fruit. The… more »
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Marjah: Progress on the Road to Stability and Prosperity
Posted by Ed Messmer / November 27, 2010
![Afghan family on motorbike in northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan, July 21, 2010. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1127_helmand_road_m.jpg)
About the Author: Ed Messmer serves with District Support Team Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The district of Marjah in Helmand Province, which had been a center of insurgent activity for nearly two years, was liberated from the Taliban in February 2010 as U.S. Marines entered in force. Due to its importance to the insurgency, the district was the scene of heavy kinetic activity through the spring and early summer. But by late summer, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), teamed with their ISAF colleagues, had cleared central Marjah of almost all activity, creating a secure environment in which economic and political activity is rapidly expanding.
The turning point may have occurred on the day parliamentary elections were held (September 18) when ANSF and ISAF successfully protected more than 100 election officials at 12 polling… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Kabul National Cricket Stadium Gets a New Look
Posted by Robert Sauers / November 23, 2010
About the Author: Robert Sauers serves at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A large crowd of cricket enthusiasts watched today as Finance Minister Mohammad Omer Zakhiwal and United States Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry laid foundation stones to inaugurate the renovation of the Kabul National Cricket Stadium.
Because of the national team's exceptional success in many international tournaments, cricket in Afghanistan is gaining popularity. The growing number of players includes not only men, but women as well. More than 100 young women are currently playing cricket in Kabul and the Afghanistan Cricket Board is about to create a National Women's Cricket Team for the 2011 Asian Elite Cup Tournament in February 2011.
"Cricket in Afghanistan is more than a game. It is a means for bringing Afghan youth from different backgrounds… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Young Civil Society Leaders Bring Afghan Voices to European Audiences
Posted by Fleur S. Cowan / November 22, 2010
![Italian students listen to Afghan civil society leaders in Milan, Nov. 2010. [Embassy Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1122_italian_students_m.jpg)
About the Author: Fleur Cowan is the Deputy Cultural Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy.
U.S. Embassy Rome recently hosted three impressive civil society representatives who shared with the Italian public their personal experiences in building a new Afghanistan. Jawed Nader spoke about agriculture, Rahima Housaini discussed prison reform, and Wazir Ahmad Khorami addressed human rights. Though they represented three different fields, they all shared a common view: Things are much better in Afghanistan now than they were under the Taliban, and the support of the international community is vital.
Jawed, Rahima and Wazir thanked the Italians and spent their time in Italy meeting with a range of people, from politicians and journalists to students and development activists.… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Afghan Customs and Border Officials Visit U.S. Ports of Entry
Posted by Hila Hanif / November 19, 2010
![Cargo being loaded at Kabul international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 29, 2003. [AP File]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_1119_cbo_m.jpg)
About the Author: Hila Hanif serves in the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
What better way to tackle challenging border control issues, including narcotics-smuggling and criminal threats, than to visit others who are addressing the same challenges? This week, a delegation of Afghan officials visited the United States for just that reason. The State Department and the Department of Homeland Security hosted a group of officials from Afghanistan's Customs Department and Border Police and took them on a tour of several facilities in Washington D.C. and in Texas. The two agencies represented by the delegation have been working hand-in-hand with U.S. officials on a number… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
Renewable Energy To Illuminate Kabul’s Street Lamps
Posted by Abigail E. Sugrue / November 12, 2010
![Afghans stand outside a home in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 14, 2010. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1112_kabul_street_lamp_m.jpg)
About the Author: Abigail Sugrue is an officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mayor Muhammad Yunus Nawandish of Kabul needed a creative solution. He wanted to build street lamps to light the darkened city, and provide safety and security to residents and visitors. However, with limited power generation and distribution systems, an innovative approach was needed.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with the Mayor's office and Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan (SESA) on a pilot program to use renewable energy to provide street lights to the 6 million people living within the city limits. With over 300 days of sun, Kabul City is an ideal place to explore the usage of the sun to power its streets. These solar street lights will not only provide more security and raise community morale, they will also… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
U.S. Embassy Kabul Observes Veterans Day
Posted by Wendy Kolls / November 11, 2010
![U.S. Embassy Kabul honors fallen heroes, Kabul, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2010. [Embassy Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1111_kabul_ceremony_m.jpg)
About the Author: Wendy Kolls serves as an Assistant Press Officer at U.S. Embassy Kabul in Afghanistan.
U.S. Embassy Kabul was up early this Veterans Day to join the Congressional Delegation (CODEL) of Senators John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham and Kirsten Gillibrand in a ceremony hosted by Ambassador Karl Eikenberry.
A large crowd of U.S. Embassy Kabul employees gathered to honor U.S. veterans, filling the plaza in front of the New Chancery. Dozens of U.S. Marines stood in formation next to the stage, while the sun was just rising on a clear November day in Kabul. Everyone stood for the National Anthem, and then Ambassador Eikenberry and all four senators, on a stage set up next to the flagpole, paid tribute to our men and women in uniform serving our country around the world--and especially those in Afghanistan, who are currently… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
U.S. University Awarded Grant From State Department to Assist Kandahar University
Posted by Kerri S. Hannan / November 10, 2010
![Afghan female students discuss a math problem at the University of Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug 2002.[AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1110_afghan_uni_m.jpg)
About the Author: Kerri Hannan serves as Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy Kabul in Afghanistan.
Ball State University in the United States received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of State to help Kandahar University develop curriculua that will emphasize free market principles and entrepreneurship for its new College of Economics.
Members of Kandahar's Economics Department will work with faculty members from Ball State's nationally ranked Center for Entrepreneurship to create courses in entrepreneurship, business development, and economic development.
The purpose of the grant is to provide Afghanistan with added economic development opportunities and integration into the international trade and business community, which lends itself to greater… more »
Posted under: Afghanistan
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