Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Governor Mangal speaking to press at the dam.
Photo: USAID/FIRUP/Hilda Grigorian
Ghor residents gravel a road and dig a drainage ditch to prevent flooding. Improved roads allow better access to markets, schools, and clinics.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Busses and trucks had a difficult time driving on the rough road between Ghazni in Ghazni Province and Sharan in Paktika Province in southeastern Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The mountainous Panjshir Valley was isolated over several decades. The road stretches through difficult terrain.
Photo: Idrees Ilham/USAID/Afghanistan
Every day over 400 bicyclists ride over the Pul-e-Alam road south of Kabul. Many of the riders are students going to-and-from school.
Photo: Jennifer Ragland USAID/PRT
PRT Air is the first flight to take off from the newly constructed airstrip in Qalat.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The Provisional Reconstruction Team and military members of the PRT work together to get a bridge built in a difficult location close to the community mosque.
Photo: Photo: USAID
USAID rebuilt a key portion of Afghanistan's national road system which links its two largest cities and economic centers.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The newly reconstructed 64 km Ghazni to Sharan Road has successfully decreased the travel time from four hours to one hour between the two communities.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The completion of the paved road in Panjshir Valley has reduced travel time from Kabul and provided people a chance to enjoy fresh mountain air and the Panjshir River on weekends.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
“Men would come every day to work and be happy to work because we are making our land better and we have a chance to begin again.”
–A returned refugee
Photo: Matt Herrick
Nadir, a farmer in Baghram, says his irrigation has improved significantly in 2003, even at 6.5km from the Ghorband dams.
Photo: USAID/Jennifer Lindsey
"We like the road because now it's easy for cars… and easy for us to get to school. Not only my parents but all the villagers are very happy with the new road because we can get sick people to the clinic faster. And now, because the road is paved, there is no longer so much dust“
-Asif Haseebkhan, 10 years old, Durani Village
Photo: USAID/Matt Herrick
"Now my children can walk safely and easily to school. The cars move faster and the drive is smoother. Now it’s much easier for me to take my fruit and vegetables to the market. This paved road is very good“ - Sultan Mohammad and his six children, walking along the road from their village of Andar to attend a wedding in Shahkabul, Wardak Province.
Photo: USAID/Jennifer Lindsey
"Thank you to everybody who helped to build our road. It is very good. What used to take one hour to drive, now takes only 10 minutes. Before, it was so bumpy and dusty. And we used to travel at 30 km/hour, at most. Now we can go up to 110 km. /hour. This is very good for my business.” - Noor Rahman, Taxi Driver, Wardak Province
Photo: Mohammad Afzal Muhsini, OIEE, USAID/Afghanistan
Students sing the Afghan national anthem during the Faizabad Connector Road opening ceremony in Jawzjan province's Faizabad district.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Work commences on an industrial park.
Photo: USAID/IRP
A worker builds a retaining wall during the construction of the Kishim to Fayzabad Road, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Winding through mountains and rough terrain, the road will facilitate transportation in the remote northern province of Badakhshan.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
USAID continues to support construction for girl's schools around Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
USAID supports construction for girl's schools around Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
A construction worker at the Sabawoon Feed Mill.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Laborers worked overnight to avoid disrupting daytime school operation.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The new school will provide classroom space for students who currently must take exams outside.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Artist’s rendition of Ghazi School after construction.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Members of the construction team worked overnight to lay the school’s foundation.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Newly installed lights increase security at the Garmsir Bazaar.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Kajaki engineers explain to journalists how the new turbines will function.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Afghan businessmen sign contracts to maintain the country's roads.
Photo: USAID/IRP
The Keshim to Faizabad Road, under construction in Badakhshan, is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Winding through mountains, the road will facilitate transportation over rough terrain.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Kajaki Dam in Helmand province.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Representatives from Tagab’s 80 villages attend a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the beginning of road construction.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
The Mendrawar to Qarghayi Road serves nearly 105,000 citizens of Laghman Province.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Workers protect against erosion during the construction of the Charikar-Panjshir Road.
Photo: Wakil Naseri
North West Kabul substation, Afghanistan.
Photo: Lizette Potgieter
Afghan boys huddle around a fire, Kabul.
Photo: Wakil Naseri
سب ستیشن شمال غرب، افغانستان
Photo: USAID/Wakil Naseri
Power flows to Kabul through the North West Kabul Substation.
Photo: USAID/IRP/Steve Pearce
USAID is conducting gas field exploration in Jawzjan Province to investigate ways to provide electricity to the Afghan people. In March 2009, a convoy of 36 trucks loaded with 550 tons of drilling equipment travelled 3,000 km to reach the Shibirghan gas fields.
Photo: USAID/IRP Steve Pearce
Shibirghan residents and government officials welcome the much anticipated convoy.
Photo: USAID/IRP Steve Pearce
A convoy of 36 trucks loaded with 550 tons of drilling equipment travelled 3,000 km to reach Shibirghan gas fields.
Photo: USAID/LBG/B&V Joint Venture
Paving begins in Fayzabad.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Kajaki Dam in Hilmand Province.
Photo: Advanced Engineering Associates Intl.
President Hamid Karzai and Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan inaugurating the power line from Uzbekistan to Kabul.
Photo: USAID/SPR-SEA
Shirzad families receive earthquake relief aid.
Photo: USAID/IRP
President Karzai energizes a substation to begin the transfer of electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/AECP
The first class of engineers improve their knowledge of Afghanistan’s energy sector.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Water conference participants, including Minister of Energy and Water Mohammed Ismail Khan, discuss sustainable water use.
Photo: USAID/CAWSA
USAID Rep. Eng. Gul Afghan Saleh noted the U.S. Government’s commitment to strengthen Afghan institutions.
Photo: USAID/Dan Wilkinson
U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, President Hamid Karzai, and Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan celebrate the launch of Tarakhil Power Plant.
Photo: USAID/UNOPS
Construction begins on a high school in Kabul.
Photo: U.S. Embassy/Kabul
Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne (seated, second from right), Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs, joined Afghan officials (from left to right: Minister of Urban Development Pashtun, Minister of Economy Shams, Minister of Energy and Water Khan and Minister of Finance Zakhilwal), and other international donors to announce the Afghan Government’s launch of a new utility corporation on September 30, 2009 in Kabul.
Photo: Lizette Potgieter
The construction of the Kishim-Fayzabad Road has brought prosperity – and electricity – to the village of Gunbaz Balocha. Solar panels now dot the rooftops of many homes.
Photo: Government Media and Information Center
Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Ismail Khan briefs the media at the Government Media and Information Center.
Photo: USAID/ADP/E
Fans and lights are switched on for the first time in village head Malik Mir Alam Khan’s guest room.
Photo: Advanced Engineering Associates Intl.
The Naiabad Switchyard is a key component of the transmission line that brings electricity to major cities in Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
Potable water supply is a fundamental public service for rural Afghans and contributes to improved health and quality of life.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
In late October 2009, USAID laid the massive earthquake-resistant foundation for Sardar Kabuli Girls' High School. When completed, the school will serve more than 4,000 girls in Afghanistan's capital.
Photo: USAID/LGCD
Afghan officials, international donors, and community leaders celebrate the launch of the Nangarhar Industrial Park construction.
Photo: USAID/LGCD
More than 100 families in Logar Province will have clean, affordable energy this winter thanks to solar panels provided by USAID and Afghan Community Development Councils.
Photo: USAID/SPR-SEA/Gul Agha Baturi
Halima displays a dress that she has embroidered in the cherma dozi style. Cherma dozi is a tradition in Afghan culture. Gold and silver threads follow a lace-like pattern around the neckline, sleeves, and borders of women’s dresses.
Photo: USAID/SPR-SEA/Shahpoor
Women attend a literacy training course. Halima has learned to read and write thanks to the course, and noted, “Now I am able to help my daughter study her textbooks.”
Photo: USAID/FIRUP/Hilda Grigorian
Water flows freely through a cleaned irrigation canal, nourishing farmland and pastures in the Chaghcharan area of Ghor province.
Photo: USAID/IRP
On the Road host Mujeeb Arez on location in Paktya province.
Photo: Lizette Potgieter
Kajaki Dam’s water is used to generate power for Kandahar and Hilmand provinces.
Photo: IRD/SPR-SEA/Lutfullah
The soap is packaged professionally before it is delivered to market.
Photo: IRD/SPR-SEA/Lutfullah
A trainer inspects bars of soap made by community members in Wazir. The USAID-funded factory enables workers to make soap for use in the village and for sale to outside markets.
Photo: USAID/ACEP
USAID and MRRD provided solar lights to Kuchi nomads.
Photo: IRD/SPR-SEA/Javed Khan
Ali Jan’s fish farm holds 2,500 fish and provides him with an income of $200 per month. All of his school-aged children are now able to attend school.
Photo: RD/SPR-SEA/Javed Khan
Ali Jan supervises the construction of his fish farm, supported by a grant from USAID.
Photo: USAID/IRP
An Afghan engineer cleans an engine plate at the Tarakhil Power Plant.
Photo: USAID/CHEF
USAID built the new Sherzad Girls Middle School in Nangarhar province after an April 2009 earthquake destroyed the original school. This school can accommodate up to 400 girls studying in two shifts.
Photo: USAID/LGCD
Sakhar villagers work to widen and improve their road.
Photo: USAID/IRP Mustafa Yasa
Interns watch as Engineer Eshaq performs a California bearing ratio (CBR) crushing test, which measures the load-bearing capacity of materials used to build roads.