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Expand and improve access to economic and social infrastructure
USAID began building roads, schools, and clinics in 2002 to demonstrate immediate progress to the Afghan people. While these projects continue, USAID is shifting its focus to improve energy and power. The building and refurbishing of infrastructure boosts economic growth and agricultural yields, connects rural Afghans to services, and provides schools, clinics, and courthouses for its citizens.
22 February 2012 | Uruzgan, Afghanistan
USAID/AIRP BEFORE: Heavy equipment such as mobile crushers, batch plants, and mobile testing labs were brought in under extremely difficult conditions to help reconstruct...
8 February 2012 | Parwan, Afghanistan
Four to five hours a night was all the electricity that Sufyane Village in Parwan Province had ever experienced. USAID/AESP/Tetra Tech ...
23 February 2012 | Kabul, Afghanistan
USAID/AESP/Tetra Tech The new dining facility for men at Kabul University. Founded in 1931, Kabul University is the oldest and largest institution...
2 February 2012 | Laghman, Afghanistan
It is vital for Afghanistan to have a good transportation system to revitalize the economy and the quality of life. USAID/AESP/Tetra Tech...
10 December 2011 | Kabul, Afghanistan
The geosciences department head is confident that advanced GIS training will give his students an edge in the tight job market.
19 December 2011 | Wardak, Afghanistan
The installation of 26 new solar streetlights in Sayed Abad’s district center enables people to move around safely after dark and permits shopkeepers to keep their stores open later at night.
2 April 2011 | Takhar Province, Afghanistan
USAID/SWSS Poor sanitation and contaminated water are leading causes of water borne diarrheal diseases. Despite the many challenges of living in remote...
2 April 2011 | Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan
USAID/SWSS Inspection of newly constructed latrine with hygiene promotion poster in Itarchi, Faizabad District. The mountainous district of Faizabad in Badakhshan Province...
3 February 2011 | Kabul Province, Afghanistan
USAID/SWSS Istalif District agriculture manager with SWSS team, selecting sites to construct public latrines. The USAID funded Afghan Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation...
15 December 2010 | Robat, Afghanistan
Repairing a pipe scheme in the Dayak District of Ghazni Province has helped provide safe drinking water to 8,617 beneficiaries. Inaugurated on November 8, 2010,...
15 December 2010 | Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Kunar is a mountainous province in the east of Afghanistan well endowed with water resources, but lacking infrastructure and management structures to ensure proper access...
15 December 2010 | Sulimanzai, Afghanistan
Dayak is a district of Ghazni Province, which suffers from lack of potable water. Most people in this district collect water from rivers, drains and...
3 November 2011 | Herat, Afghanistan
More than 200 people from Afghanistan’s western region with an interest in energy conservation gathered in Herat to learn how to save energy in their...
24 August 2011 | Kabul, Afghanistan
Barat Ali Batoor/US Embassy (Left to Right) Acting Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan, Minister of Finance Omar Zakhilwal, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv...
15 June 2011 | Parwan Province, Afghanistan
USAID/Mark Dillen A view of the Salang Tunnel in Parwan Province. U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry and Minister of Public Works H.E....
4 May 2011 | Kabul, Afghanistan
کارمندان پوهنتون کابل و حکومت ایالات متحده لابراتوار انرژی قابل تجدید پوهنتون کابل را امروز طی یک محفل قطع نوار و سفر به این تسهیلات...
Officials from Kabul University and the U.S. Government inaugurated the Kabul University USAID/ACEP U.S. Deputy Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne (left) joins the...
6 April 2011 | Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan
بدخشان، افغانستان / د ۲۰۱۱ کال د مارچ د میاشتی ۳۰ نیټه ـ د بدخشان ولایت والی او د ټولنی مشرانو د مارچ په...
بدخشان افغانستان/ 30 مارچ 2011 - والی ولایت بدخشان و رهبران محلی نصب موفقانه 60 چراغ آفتابی جاده ایی را طی یک محفل با...
Javid Entizar/USAID Left to Right: “Badakhshan Governor Shah Wali Adeeb, Feyzabad Mayor Nazir Mohammad and USAID’s Engineer Nazir cut the ribbon to celebrate the...
10 February 2011 | Parwan Province, Afghanistan
USAID/Afghanistan AIRP Parwan Governor Abdul Basir Salangi inspects road improvements. In a ceremony that acknowledged dramatic improvements to the roads in Parwan...
29 December 2010 | Kabul,Afghanistan
د امریکی د سفیر مرستیال ښاغلی ای انتونی وین پرون د داسی مراسمو کوربه وه چی د هغه ژورنالستانو ...
BACKGROUND
Decades of war, harsh climatic conditions, and neglect due to extreme poverty have left the country’s infrastructure in rubble and decay. In many remote areas, it was never developed at all. The lack of infrastructure has had a huge impact on Afghanistan’s economic development. Nevertheless, Afghanistan has made substantial progress in recent years.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
U.S. Government assistance is helping to strengthen Afghan capacity to design, build, and maintain roads; increase the supply of reliable electricity; expand access to potable water; and design and construct schools, clinics, and hospitals. While constructing infrastructure in Afghanistan is critical to the U.S. Government’s short-term stabilization objectives and long-term development goals, such projects face many challenges and problems. Most projects face security threats, physically remote and inaccessible sites, and difficulties moving equipment across rough terrain. Nevertheless, USAID infrastructure projects, in partnership with and in support of the Afghan Government and other donors, are successfully overcoming such obstacles in order to provide power, roads, water, and buildings that support job creation and economic growth.
ENERGY
Surveys indicate increased electricity supply is a top priority for Afghans. USAID efforts have significantly increased access to electricity among the Afghan population. The U.S. supported the Afghan government in coordinating multi-donor efforts to build the North East Power System (NEPS) needed to transmit low-cost power from Uzbekistan to Kabul and other population centers. The U.S. also rehabilitated two turbines at the Kajaki hydropower facility that doubled hydropower generation capacity of the dam. In addition, USAID constructed the Tarakhil Power Plant, which can provide electricity to more than 600,000 residents in Kabul and those living in communities supported by NEPS. USAID recently launched a new project to install a third turbine at the Kajaki hydropower facility and expand and improve distribution and transmission in Kandahar and Hilmand provinces. Planned U.S.-funded projects include connecting the isolated South East Power System (SEPS) to NEPS creating a national transmission grid.
A key component of the U.S. energy strategy is building the capacity of Afghans working in the power sector. In concert with this effort, USAID is actively supporting power sector reform and the commercialization of the national state-owned utility, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS). DABS is expected to grow into a strong and viable commercial entity that can reduce electricity losses, increase revenue flow, and improve service delivery to millions of consumers. Collections improvements at DABS has doubled revenues in two years and increased power distributed by 18 percent.
In addition to large-scale projects, the U.S. assists more than 300 rural communities gain access to advanced technologies to power their homes, schools, and businesses through clean, renewable energy, such as micro-hydropower, solar, and wind projects.
ROADS
An expanded and improved road network supports increased economic activity while enabling Afghans to access key services such as healthcare and education. USAID has funded the rehabilitation of more than 2,000 km of regional, national, provincial, and rural roads. Construction of a 103 km national highway in Badakhshan Province in the north (Kishim to Fayzabad) was completed in 2010, and highlights the economic gains from new and improved roads. The number of new businesses such as fuel stations and markets has more than doubled, commercial bus activity has increased, and market prices have declined along the road’s path.
Ongoing and planned U.S.-funded projects include rehabilitation of two national highways linking Khost and Gardez to the Ring Road, emergency repair to the Salang Tunnel, construction of Section 1 of the Bamyan to Dushi highway, a critical north-south route, and ongoing rehabilitation of strategic provincial roads that connect villages to district centers. USAID is working closely with the Afghan government and the private-sector to maintain more than 1,700 km of roads nationwide. USAID projects strengthen capacity of government staff on road design and support national efforts to establish an independent road authority and road fund that will enable long-term management and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure.
WATER
Currently, only 23 percent of Afghan households have access to safe drinking water. USAID is working to provide clean drinking water in urban areas and drinking water and improved sanitation facilities in 1,000 rural communities. USAID also supports the government’s water and sanitation sector reforms, which seek to commercialize the urban water sector, increase cost recovery, and improve management. In addition, USAID is working to develop river basin master plans that will allow the Afghan government to optimize its future water resource development.
BUILDINGS
USAID is constructing hospitals, mid-wife training centers, teacher training centers, high schools, residential and educational facilities for university students, and government structures, all built to modern seismic standards. USAID is supporting the construction of two campus-size high schools in Kabul City, specifically designed to accommodate the high demand for both boys’ and girls’ secondary education. Additionally, USAID is funding the design and construction of provincial teacher-training colleges, teacher-training facilities for higher education, midwife-training centers, and hospitals. These facilities will help the Afghan government provide critical health and education services throughout the country.
Fact Sheet Infrastructure Sector Profile Jun 2011
Fact Sheet Infrastructure Sector June 2011 Pashto
Fact Sheet Infrastructure Sector June 2011 Dari
Infrastructure by Province Dec 2010
Diesel Thermal Power Plants Operations and Maintenance
Kishem to Faizabad National Highway
Advisor to the Secretariat of the Inter-Ministerial Commission for Energy (ICE)
Afghan Clean Energy Project (ACEP)
Afghan Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation (SWSS)
Afghanistan Energy Assistance Project
Afghanistan Engineering Support Program (AESP)
Afghanistan Infrastructure and Rehabilitation Program (AIRP) - General Management and Administration
Afghanistan Infrastructure and Rehabilitation Program (IRP) - Quick Response General Services
Commercialization of Afghanistan Water and Sanitation Activity (CAWSA)
Construction of Health and Education Facilities (CHEF)
Darunta Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation
Demining
Design and Construction of Uruzgon Bridge
Design and Initial Construction of of Bamyan and Dushi Road
District Center Roads (DCR) Program
Energy Partnership
Engineering Design Support Activity (EDSA)
Engineering Quality Assurance and Logistical Support (EQUALS)
Faculties of Higher Education (FoHE)
Human and Institutional Capacity Building for Afghanistan Energy and Natural Resources (AECB)
Human Resources and Logistical Support (HRLS)
Infrastructure and Rehabilitation Program (IRP) - Power (LBG/B&V)
Infrastructure and Rehabilitation Program (IRP) - Roads (LBG/B&V)
Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program (IRP) - USACE
Kabul Electricity Directorate (KED) Commercialization
Kabul Electricity Service Improvement Project (KESIP)
Kabul Schools Program
Kabul University Facility Renovations and Construction
Kandahar Commercialization Support
Kandahar-Hilmand Power Project (KHPP)
National Load Control Center
Reactive Power Compensation for NEPS
Reconstruction of the Gardez to Khost Road
Rehabilitation of Economic Facilities and Services (REFS) - Power
Rehabilitation of Economic Facilities and Services (REFS) - Roads
Road Operation and Maintenance Capacity Building Project
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - CHF
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - IOM
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - LBGI
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - Shelter for Life
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - UMCOR
Schools and Clinics Construction and Refurbishment Program - UNOPS
Sheberghan Gas Generation Project
Special Projects: Watershed Studies, Multi-purpose Dam Designs, and Technical Assistance
Strategic Provincial Road-Southern and Eastern Afghanistan (SPR-SEA)
Sustainable Water Resources Management
Tarakhil Power Plant
Technical Support to Afghan Energy Information Center (AEIC)
Photo: Photo: USAID/AIRP
Two Afghan engineers, Sayed Torak (r), who works for USAID, and Ghulam Wali, of USAID’s Afghanistan Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program, are helping to establish the institutions that will oversee the revitalization of Afghanistan’s highway system.
Photo: USAID/SWSS
Hand pump mechanic explains different parts of a hand pump to community trainees in December, 2010.
Istalif District agriculture manager with SWSS team, selecting sites to construct public latrines.
Photo: USAID/CAWSA
Gardez worker enters access shaft for karez cleaning.
USAID grant funded shelter for generators in Ghazni.
Photo: CADG
Improved Irish Crossing – international community’s proof of commitment and friendship toward Afghanistan.
Photo: USAID/CBSG
Omakai residents work to build a proper road in their village, which will improve access to basic services.
Digging a well in Noorgal District, Kunar Province.
Resident of Robat community in Dayak District collects water from newly repaired water tap.
New hand pumps shorten the distance for residents in Sulimanzai Community of Dayak District, Ghazni
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan, Louisa Bargeron
Minister of Rehabilitation and Rural Development Jarullah Mansoori (left) listens as U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry (right) delivers remarks at a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
Photo: U.S Embassy/Dan Wilkinson
U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry discusses challenges, successes, and goals at the 2nd National Water Conference in Kabul.
Photo: RLS-I
BEFORE The Huqooq office filing system in the Surkh Rod District of Nangarhar Province was messy and disorganized. It was difficult to locate civil filings and jirga decisions.
AFTER New filing cabinets, folders, paper, and a desk and chairs facilitate the Huqooq’s work registering citizens’ civil cases and decisions submitted by the state or district elders.
Photo: International Relief and Development SPR-SEA
USAID's Strategic Provincial Roads Project rehabilitates rural roads in Afghanistan and serves as the backbone for development corridors across the impoverished nation for some of the world's most deprived and isolated communities.
Photo: IRD/AVIPA Plus
The deputy of Nangarhar provincial council (center) and other government representatives cut the ribbon to open the Jalalabad City Community Center.
Photo: USAID/AIRP
With Washington, D.C. in the background, Mirwais Attaulhaq (left) is congratulated by a representative of the International Leadership Program on U.S. Foreign Policy and Energy.
One of 51 panel boards the MSBU identified to be repaired or replaced with new ones.
Photo: IRD/SPR-SEA
Local laborers in Arghandab, Kandahar, start construction on a rural road.
Photo: USAID/AECB
This transformer station is providing increased electrical power to the city of Chaharikar in Parwan province.
Al-Temor community members collect clean drinking water from a well recently constructed by USAID.
Photo: USAID/CDP
Workers put the final touches on a sidewalk in Kandahar. The city government initiated what became a very successful public works project.
H.E. Minister Jarullah Mansoori of MRRD and U.S. Deputy Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne sign the MoU to improve coordination on sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion.
Photo: USAID/IRD
Because of this program, Jamela was able to produce higher-quality traditional embroidery and weavings and sell to customers from outside her village at the crafts exhibition. Future events will be held as a result of this exhibition’s success.
Photo: USAID/LGCD
A solar light recently installed in Muqur, Badghis Province.
DABS engineers will control electricity for the North East Power System through this SCADA master system display.
Schoolgirls show their hands after washing them with soap and water as part of a Global Handwashing Day celebration.
Photo: USAID/SPR-SEA
Local officials and Ghazni community members celebrate the construction of the Ghazni to Gardez Road.
Photo: USAID/BESST
Governor Akbarzada lays the foundation stone at Shahr-e-Kohna Middle School.
Photo: USAID/SWISS
Children stand in front of a new bore well constructed by USAID.
A rebuilt segment of the Bamyan-Dushi Road.
The hall was packed for the closing ceremony of the Jalrez District canal cleaning project.
Participants outline community-led total sanitation requirements and responsibilities
A CAWSA technical engineer provides practical GPS training in the field to the Gardez Water Supply Department.
Trainees at the Tarakhil power plant install a fabricated platform that provides access to the turbines and other machinery. The plant generates enough electricity for 1.5 million citizens.
Engineer Shanaz, Solar Energy Director at MEW, discussing her goals with a colleague at a leadership course held at MEW.
Photo: USAID/Carlo Nino, DAI
Workers from Joee Safeed Village prepare their road for graveling.
Attendees of the Loya Jirga in Kahmard District in Bamyan Province examining the proposal for a 164 kilometer road that is planned to bring development and jobs to the towns and villages along the route.
Photo: USAID/AWATT
Construction of an efficient, reinforced concrete cement turnout.
Photo: AIRP/USAID
Soaring transmission towers dot the Salang Pass on their way to Kabul where they deliver imported power from bordering countries. Almost two trillion kilowatt hours are imported into Afghanistan annually.
Women in eastern Afghanistan like Musharaba are now enjoying newfound confidence and skills in carpet weaving and literacy thanks to USAID.
A worker replaces the electrical system of the Mazar Water Utility’s central pump station.
Photo: USAID/IRP
Training and capacity building proceeds in Kandahar through on-line video conferencing. The trainee is learning the proper operation and maintenance of generators in the South that serve 94,000 families.
Cartons of eggs stand in the front of Abdul Naser’s market stall in Kishim, Badakhshan Province.
Employees of the Gardez Water Supply Department hard at work in their refurbished offices on new computers – both financed by a USAID project.
Senior Afghan officials consider the way forward in creating an independent private sector oriented Road Authority to manage and finance the nation’s road assets.
Photo: Ian Carver, ACEP
Afghan turbine manufacturers from across the country engage in group discussions during a needs assessment workshop held at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.
Photo: USAID/IRD/SPR-SEA
Mapari from Lokhai, Nangarhar, can now provide for her children and send them to school as a result of SPR community grants.
Photo: USAID/Afghanistan
A USAID program made it possible for engineers from DABS to learn English to improve their job performance.
Photo: USAID/CADG
Tirin Kot’s residents are pleased to have new concrete drains and sidewalks.
Abdul Wasi, a local shopkeeper and carpenter, says the sidewalks and drains have improved business.
Photo: IRD
Peace building training in Ghazni Province.
A water supply technician takes a replacement pump to repair the Sayed Esmail Balkhi water network deep well. The repair restored water service for about 1,250 residents.
Senior Afghan officials consider the way forward in creating an independent private sector oriented road authority to manage and finance the nation’s road assets.
Laborers from Shah Kabul Kaln receive tools at the launch of the road project.
Saywoshan residents stand on a new bridge.
An aerial view of the Tarakhil Power Plant.
Photo: USAID/AMSP
Merchants and customers walk along the newly paved road in the Tirin Kot Bazaar.
Community leaders and project staff select well locations based on village needs.
U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry (right) is joined by (right to left) Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, USAID Mission Director Earl Gast, and a power plant operator to transfer the Tarakhil Power Plant from the American to the Afghan people.
U.S and Afghan officials participate in a ribbon-cutting to mark the transfer of the Tarakhil Power Plant from the U.S. Government to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
A dentist at Kabul Medical University’s Dentistry Teaching Clinic treats a young patient in the pediatrics department.
Mrs. Pashtoon Shana has been the principal of Girls School No. 2 in Fayzabad, Badakhshan Province, since 1994. Today, the school enrolls 1,280 girls in grades 1-12.
Girls wait for classes to begin at Fayzabad’s Girls School No. 2.
Photo: USAID/AEAI
VTC instructors inspect the new engineering text books provided by USAID.
Students attend their engineering internship graduation ceremony.
Photo: USAID/SARI
Delegates tour Tata BP Solar India Limited’s solar water heater production facility in Bangalore.
Local leaders applaud winter maintenance of the Bamyan-Dushi Road at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new District Governor’s Office Building in Bamyan’s Shibar District.
Men from Sange-e-Masha Village inspect materials for repair of a main access road.
Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Water tour the Tarakhil Power Plant.
On the Road host Mujeeb Arez.
Kabir Ramz is an artist who creates oil paintings on large canvases. When Kabir was an art student at Kabul University before the days of stable electricity, he woke early in the morning to take advantage of the light to choose the right colors for his paintings.
Engineer M. Eshaq, the senior lab manager at the Kabul Central Laboratory, demonstrates one of the quality control instruments that is used to test materials used in road construction and other infrastructure projects.
Ghulam Jailani, far right, is the manager of Kabul’s Chimtala Substation, the newest and largest in Afghanistan. The substation provides 60 to 70 percent of electricity to Kabul. Chimtala was already connected to the VSAT communications network when the substation opened.
Photo: Dr. Zahir, NPO/RRAA
An agriculture advisor monitors the assembly of chicken coops that will house chickens distributed to impoverished women in Mendrawol Village, Laghman Province.
Photo: ECW
The women of Kahrotai Village are pleased to have the opportunity to take skills and literacy courses.
Mr. Dad M. Baheer, CEO of AUWSSC (center right); Mohammad Hanif Gardewal, representative of the governor of Nangarhar (center); and Said Rahman Zabeh, head of JWSD (left) inaugurate the JWSD customer care department.
Abdullah Jan and his wife Shabnam (not pictured) are Fulbright students at the University of Missouri. After graduation, the couple will return to Kabul to work in the transportation engineering field.
Kabul Polytechnic University seniors who participated in USAID-sponsored practical training.
Fatima Kohstani works for USAID’s Afghanistan Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program as an engineer specializing in hydraulic design.
The VTC school director oversees the entrance exam process.
Men in Khawja Shahab build a boundary wall for the local high school.
Monisa, an IT specialist, troubleshoots computer problems.
Wahida, a technician at the power plant, says, “Being a woman in construction – this is a first time experience.”
A female meter reader takes a meter reading and explains the importance of potable water and paying water bills on time.
The brother and sister team of meter readers records the water usage of a customer in Ghazni province.
Each call to the hotline is logged, and follow-up action is tracked daily until the repair is made.
The customer care intern computerizes a customer ledger. He helped computerize 5,000 customer ledgers. The original paper ledgers were in poor condition and difficult to manage.
MWSD Director Eng. Abdul Jamil Maseh reviews payment collection records and congratulates his team for excellent performance.
A bus traveling between Kabul and Fayzabad arrives in less than 12 hours, quickly transporting people and their goods. The new USAID-funded road on which the bus travels brings improved access to medical care, education, and markets.
Emissions that meet the cleanest of U.S. standards flow through chimney stacks at Tarakhil Power Plant.
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.
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.
An Afghan engineer cleans an engine plate at the Tarakhil Power Plant.
Photo: RD/SPR-SEA/Javed Khan
Ali Jan supervises the construction of his fish farm, supported by a grant from USAID.
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.
Afghan officials, international donors, and community leaders celebrate the launch of the Nangarhar Industrial Park construction.
Photo: USAID/ACEP
USAID and MRRD provided solar lights to Kuchi nomads.
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.
The soap is packaged professionally before it is delivered to market.
Photo: Lizette Potgieter
Kajaki Dam’s water is used to generate power for Kandahar and Hilmand provinces.
On the Road host Mujeeb Arez on location in Paktya province.
Photo: USAID/FIRUP/Hilda Grigorian
Water flows freely through a cleaned irrigation canal, nourishing farmland and pastures in the Chaghcharan area of Ghor province.
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/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/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.
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.
Potable water supply is a fundamental public service for rural Afghans and contributes to improved health and quality of life.
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: Advanced Engineering Associates Intl.
The Naiabad Switchyard is a key component of the transmission line that brings electricity to major cities in Afghanistan.
President Hamid Karzai and Minister of Energy and Water Ismail Khan inaugurating the power line from Uzbekistan to Kabul.
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: Government Media and Information Center
Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Ismail Khan briefs the media at the Government Media and Information Center.
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: 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.
USAID Rep. Eng. Gul Afghan Saleh noted the U.S. Government’s commitment to strengthen Afghan institutions.
Photo: USAID/UNOPS
Construction begins on a high school in Kabul.
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.
Water conference participants, including Minister of Energy and Water Mohammed Ismail Khan, discuss sustainable water use.
Photo: USAID/AECP
The first class of engineers improve their knowledge of Afghanistan’s energy sector.
President Karzai energizes a substation to begin the transfer of electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan.
Shirzad families receive earthquake relief aid.
Photo: USAID/LBG/B&V Joint Venture
Paving begins in Fayzabad.
Kajaki Dam in Hilmand Province.
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.
Shibirghan residents and government officials welcome the much anticipated convoy.
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/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/Wakil Naseri
Power flows to Kabul through the North West Kabul Substation.
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: Wakil Naseri
سب ستیشن شمال غرب، افغانستان
Afghan boys huddle around a fire, Kabul.
North West Kabul substation, Afghanistan.
Workers protect against erosion during the construction of the Charikar-Panjshir Road.
The Mendrawar to Qarghayi Road serves nearly 105,000 citizens of Laghman Province.
Representatives from Tagab’s 80 villages attend a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the beginning of road construction.
Governor Mangal speaking to press at the dam.
Kajaki Dam in Helmand province.
Afghan businessmen sign contracts to maintain the country's roads.
Kajaki engineers explain to journalists how the new turbines will function.
Newly installed lights increase security at the Garmsir Bazaar.
Members of the construction team worked overnight to lay the school’s foundation.
Artist’s rendition of Ghazi School after construction.
The new school will provide classroom space for students who currently must take exams outside.
Laborers worked overnight to avoid disrupting daytime school operation.
A construction worker at the Sabawoon Feed Mill.
USAID supports construction for girl's schools around Afghanistan.
Work commences on an industrial park.
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/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: 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.
"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: Matt Herrick
Nadir, a farmer in Baghram, says his irrigation has improved significantly in 2003, even at 6.5km from the Ghorband dams.
“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
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.
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: Photo: USAID
USAID rebuilt a key portion of Afghanistan's national road system which links its two largest cities and economic centers.
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: Jennifer Ragland USAID/PRT
PRT Air is the first flight to take off from the newly constructed airstrip in Qalat.
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.
The mountainous Panjshir Valley was isolated over several decades. The road stretches through difficult terrain.
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.
(Data as of June 2011)
Last updated22 Feb 2012
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