Transforming Lives

Every day, all over the world, USAID brings peace to those who endure violence, health to those who struggle with sickness, and prosperity to those who live in poverty. It is these individuals — these uncounted thousands of lives — that are the true measure of USAID’s successes and the true face of USAID's programs.

USAID is helping rural Afghans improve their environment and their incomes by planting pistachio seedlings.  Wild pistachio forests were once common in northern Afghanistan, but years of improper harvesting and neglect led to the destruction of many forests.  Now, a USAID cash-for-work project is underway that will restore pistachio forests covering 700 hectares in Balkh Province while providing jobs for local residents.

The Balkh Canal rehabilitation is one of several cash-for-work projects implemented by USAID to improve water flow and increase agricultural production.  The canal cleaning also provided needed employment to laborers in the area, who frequently had trouble finding work to provide for their families.

Afghanistan produces some of the world’s tastiest fruits and nuts, and these high-value food products are in great demand in international markets.  Buyers in Europe and Asia are looking to introduce quality Afghan agricultural products to their customers, and producers are eager to meet that demand. However, getting commodities to market presents a number of challenges, and USAID is assisting Afghan producers in the proper packaging and shipping of their goods.

On June 4, 2009, Fushë-Krujë Municipality became the first Albanian local government to obtain a commercial loan. The loan, in the amount of 100 million Lek (approximately US$1 million), will be used to complete the Northern Ring Road around the city, identified by the community as an essential investment project necessary to promote economic growth in the city and to improve safety (an estimated 500 heavy trucks circulate through the city per hour). The new road will divert both inter-city traffic and, more importantly, large, heavy goods vehicles around the city center.

In eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan, infrastructure is poor and many villages lack good roads, access to clean water, and other basic necessities.  USAID and U.S. Forces are working together to ensure that Afghan citizens receive the development assistance that they need to improve their livelihoods and quality of life.  In insecure areas, this type of assistance shows local residents that the U.S. Government can improve their lives – winning hearts and minds.

Afghanistan’s goats produce cashmere, which can be collected and woven into luxury clothing that is sold around the world.  At the USAID-supported Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair, cashmere experts including Afghan veterinarian Janan showcased high-quality cashmere from Kandahar and highlighted the southern province’s vast potential. 

“Afghanistan has sparked the interest and the appetite – literally the appetite – of the world,” said U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry on the opening day of the USAID-supported Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair.  The AgFair, held from May 20-22, attracted an estimated 50,000 people to forge business deals and celebrate Afghanistan’s abundance of fresh produce ranging from pomegranates to spinach.

Afghanistan grows an abundance of fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables.  Some crops, like Afghan pomegranates, are considered the best in the world.  Consequently, export opportunities are increasing, with companies selling their harvests to regional countries like the UAE, India, and Turkmenistan. 

Afghanistan’s nomadic Kuchis have lived off their livestock for centuries.  Until recently, however, they were unaware that their goats produced cashmere – a valuable, renewable product that can be sold domestically and abroad.  To help the Kuchi people earn essential income by selling cashmere, USAID launched Afghanistan’s first training program on cashmere harvesting.

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