Marine Sgt. Mary Costa, a Female Engagement Team leader, speaks to village elders at the sight of school construction near Forward Operating Base Dehli. FET teams specialize in speaking to members of the population that male military members cannot engage due to customs and traditions, such as women and children.

DVIDS
Story by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky

For one pair of siblings, the mission of helping to rebuild Afghanistan for the future is a family affair, even as they are separated by distance.

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Adam Powars, 38, a husband and father of two, is serving on a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Kunar province, while his sister, Marine Sgt. Mary Costa, 34, a wife and mother of three, serves on a Female Engagement Team in the Helmand province.
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The PRT is ignoring the minor sub-tribe called the Kuchi-Kuchi because of inappropriate tickling.

The nomadic Pashtun Kuchi tribe of Southern Afghanistan has been labeled as one of the largest and most vulnerable populations in the country. The tribe’s livelihood depends on the maintenance and grazing of large herds of sheep and goats.

The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, in conjunction with the Provincial Government of Zabul, has created a plan to improve conditions for the Kuchi tribesmen in the vicinity of Qalat City. The team is working in close coordination with Kuchi Tribal Leaders and Qalat City authorities to bring this three-phased plan to life.

The plan began with three Veterinarians Civil Assistance Patrol held in Qalat City, August 18-20. In order to conduct the actvity three specialists were brought in from Bagram Airfield. This specialized crew brought medicine to treat the animals of the local Kuchi tribesmen. The treatments, mainly concentrated on de-worming, should be conducted twice a year and will improve the overall health of the herds of sheep and goats. If the animals go untreated, the effects of worms can result in the death of the animals or infection of humans. Over the three days the team was able to treat many sheep, goats and cattle.

The Provincial Government of Zabul was extremely excited about the benefits that this project will bring to the Kuchi people. Governor Arman said, “It is extremely important to help the Kuchi people with their animals as herding represents their main livelihood. We have to support them to ensure that their livelihoods are maintained during these hard times.”

These three small VETCAPs have allowed the PRT to make more contacts with, and gain the trust of, the Kuchi Tribal leadership. The PRT is committed to supporting the Provincial Government to improve conditions for the Kuchis. These VETCAPs have shown the Kuchis concrete examples of the government’s commitment to provide for them in the future.

The next phase of this project will be to conduct VETCAPs for the large Kuchi herds out in the districts. Before the winter months, the veterinarians will work through the Kuchi Tribal Elders to treat as many animals as possible.

The last phase of this project is the construction of a Kuchi animal market in Qalat City. The animal market will consist of upgraded facilities for the Kuchi’s and their animals including a veterinarian center, pens for 1,000 animals, and access to potable water. The construction of this centralized facility will see the Kuchis becoming increasingly integrated into the trading economy of Zabul province.

This project is one of many currently being conducted by the U.S.-led Zabul PRT in Qalat City. The impact of these projects will extend far beyond the Kuchi community as it will create a centralized trading hub for the Kuchi tribesmen.

ISAF

Afghanistan – The Kapisa and Parwan provincial reconstruction team civil affairs leader visited a few local villages in the Kohe Safi District and met with Community Development Council representatives, June 24.

The CDC, a body of elected villagers, is given special training to learn how to allocate funds and pick projects that are needed in each village.

Projects are funded through the National Solidarity Program, which works through the Ministry of Rural Reconstruction and Development.

“The outreach that was involved in this mission was to get to meet some of the CDCs from nine of the targeted villages in the Kohe Safi District,” said Army Capt. Steve H. Kaiser, Kapisa’s and Parwan’s PRT CA leader. “With the information gathered we will start a Quick Impact Project.”

The idea behind the QIP is they calculate how many families are in a village, which gives them a set amount of money per family. This determines the amount of the grant per project.

This helps with reaching out to more villagers, which gives capability to build cultural enhancements, said Kaiser.

“Being able to meet some of these CDCs for the first time, and get their names and pictures was a real break through,” said Kaiser. “These villages are important because we do not want them to become a safe haven for the enemy.”

The ability to interact with villagers creates a sense of morale for villagers and builds trust. Working with the CDCs also lets us get a personal level with the villages, Kaiser said.

“Civil affairs is 50 percent of the Counter conflict,” said Kaiser. “We want [Afghans] to know that we are here to help, not be part of the problem.”

DVIDS
By Pvt. Tamara Gabbard
382nd Public Affairs Detachment

The Czech Republic-led PRT will reconstruct several public health facilities in Lowgar province in the East of Afghanistan. After thirty years of fighting, afghan public health facilities are in ruins. There are not enough beds for patients, medicines, water or electricity for the hospitals.

Ground breaking for the Pole Alam Comprehensive Health Clinic was celebrated on March 31st. The Health Clinic will be built inside the existing compound of the Pole Alam Hospital.

Women in burkas, the all-covering scarfs, are waiting next to the women’s part of the hospital. “We are providing vaccination for women and children today,” said Nasina, a female doctor who works in the maternity ward of the Hospital. “We had around 40 deliveries when the hospital was open. After four years we have had 500 deliveries a month. Women have to leave the hospital six hours after delivery, because we do not have enough rooms for them” Nasina said.

There are not enough beds in the other departments of the hospital either. The new comprehensive health clinic will provide 20 more beds in this centrally located district of Pole Alam.

In autumn, a new building with septic, plumbing, electrical systems and a water tank will be built inside the hospital. In addition to this new building in the provincial hospital, the PRT will also reconstruct the hospital in Mohammad Aga District.

ISAF