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PUSHT-E ROD, Afghanistan – More than 50 community leaders came together Dec. 16 for the first official Pusht-e Rod district-wide shura to discuss security concerns and prioritize community development projects.
The shura was formed through the Afghanistan Social Outreach Program, an Afghan government-led initiative that aims to establish about 100 community councils nationwide, connecting communities to government in order to strengthen security and improve local services.
The village elders in attendance at the Pusht-e Rod shura echoed the need for all community members to work toward security and reject insurgent activity in their villages.
“Peace and stability cannot be brought by government alone,” said Mohammed Nabi, Masaw Afghan Local Police commander and village elder. “The people in every village should be partners of the government while taking responsibility for the security of their village.”
There is a strong desire from the local government to expand the ALP program throughout villages in Pusht-e Rod to augment the more than 130 ALP members working in Masaw village, said U.S. Army Capt. Tom Moore, civil affairs officer for Task Force Arrow.
“The ALP program is creating jobs in rural communities and giving individuals ownership of their security,” Capt. Moore said. “It’s a grassroots solution to Taliban intimidation in rural areas.”
The ALP is not a militia, but rather a group of village defenders carefully vetted and approved by the community council, the captain said.
At the shura some elders submitted names of potential ALP members for council approval.
“I am happy for this shura because it will help the community work together to solve problems,” said Ghaws Udin, Pusht-e Rod sub-governor. “This is the first step toward better security.”
Though a finalized list of development priorities wasn’t completed during the shura, members had the opportunity to express their views on what those priorities should be.
Some said a road was the most important project while others mentioned agricultural concerns and health care as priority issues.
The sub-governor said the shura’s discussion of these priorities will take time and that receiving input from the elected representatives of the shura is key to gaining consensus.
“The people here represent many villages, so it is important to listen to what they have to say,” he said.
Many shura members agreed security is a necessary condition for stability, development and prosperity.
“With peace we can have every prosperity,” one village elder said. “Without it, we can do nothing.”
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2010 05:22 |
| Story ID: | 62771 |
| Location: | PUSHT-E ROD, AF |
| Web Views: | 213 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Pusht-e Rod community takes first steps toward security, development, by Maj. Candace Park, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
