Labour based road rehabilitation, construction and maintenance (LBRC)

Afghanistan is one of the least developed countries and the scene of ongoing conflicts. Poverty is widespread and especially prevalent in mountainous rural areas. Degradation of natural resources, extreme weather events and other natural hazards and lack of access to markets and services hamper development and contribute to the vulnerability of the populations.

The people in the project area mostly rely on subsistence farming. Limited livelihood options have often led to harmful survival strategies such as selling livelihood assets (e.g. livestock), migration, child labor and early marriage.

An ongoing Swiss livelihood intervention (Livelihood Improvement Project Takhar) shows promising results, but has to be complemented with access to income and markets to bear sustainable benefits.

Men and women, girls and boys, especially from poor families living in Rustaq district, improve their livelihoods.

The project targets the population of two watersheds in Rustaq district of Takhar province. The project area covers 20 villages with an estimated total population of 29’000 people. Over the whole duration of the project (4 years), approximately 1’100 workers will be directly engaged in the construction works.

O1: Men and women, girls and boys make better use of basic services and economic opportunities.

O2: Local institutions facilitate the construction and maintenance of local roads.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

O1.1: Poor families in the target area earn a reliable and fair income.

O1.2: Local communities have all-year driveable access to services and markets.

O2.1: Natural Resource Management Committees and Watershed Associations coordinate and oversee construction works

O2.2: Community Development Councils coordinate and oversee maintenance works

O2.3: The provincial representation of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development is familiar with the labour-based approach and aware of its benefits

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

The missions conducted during the opening phase have confirmed the relevance of the labour based approach. They have also allowed to adapt the approach to the local context, especially with regards to the institutional set-up. The initial project design was re-assessed and amended where necessary.

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• Livelihood Improvement Project Takhar (implemented by Terre des hommes)
• National Rural Access Program (under the lead of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development)

Phase 1 01.06.2014 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)