Sustainable Recovery of Afghanistan: Focus on Community-based Initiatives

Afghanistan is emerging out of more than two decades of conflict and internal strife that has left the country in almost total ruin in almost all respects. After the prolonged conflict and war, people are now returning to their hometown in Afghanistan, to find a massive pile of rubble instead of their familiar houses.

The priorities of the country are many, as are its limitations to fulfill them. While a host of pressing needs, ranging from rebuilding of damaged houses to reopening of schools and health centers, must start without a loss in time, Afghanistan is called upon to do so in a manner that also contributes to its re emergence as a socially meaningful and economically viable nation state. Unlike other rehabilitation programs, Afghanistan needs a holistic approach of physical and social rehabilitation. The need is to assist the Afghan people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Building trust and findings common ground is the first step in this regard. Like other societies, Afghan society is also complex. Thus, the most important thing is to know the community’s needs and priorities and to find a sustainable mechanism to incorporate the efforts in the community resilience.

This paper attempts to summarize the current issues and problems in Afghanistan with specific focus on the disaster and development, and provides some examples of community-based initiatives, suitable to the local culture and tradition. The paper also summarizes the field experiences and incorporates earlier experiences of the community rehabilitation in similar socio-economic context.