Afghanistan

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ADF Programs in Afghanistan

The needs at the local level in Afghanistan for emergency relief, reintegration of refugees and internally displaced populations, and reconstruction of the political, social, economic, and physical infrastructure are tremendous. In order for Afghanistan to make a peaceful and sustainable transition into a more democratic and developed country, efforts to address those needs must build the capacity of the Afghan people in the process and foster the emergence of strong communities and civic engagement.

Current political changes in Afghanistan and the commitment of the international community and the Interim Authority in Afghanistan to reconstruction and development offer important opportunities to assist the Afghan people in rebuilding their country. Among the most urgent needs are those related to restoring minimum levels of food security and rebuilding critical infrastructure. Quick impact programming that revitalizes and restores livelihoods so that people can buy food, increases local food production, and re-establishes a minimum level of critical services at the community level is crucial at this time. Moreover, geographic balance and coverage are equally important in implementing program activities so that the impact of the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts can be capitalized on and materialized across Afghanistan and benefit the country’s ethnic diversity.

ADF is thus focusing its reconstruction and development efforts in the central region of Afghanistan, which has been traditionally deprived of outside support. Ethnically, the region is mixed. There are Hazara, and Pashtun communities. The region has a higher concentration of the Hazara ethnic minority relative to other regions in Afghanistan, and thus the area has became to be known as the “Hazarajat” region or the land of the Hazaras.

ADF in partnership with the Ghazni Rural Support Program (GRSP), an Afghani non-governmental organization established in 1993, is developing community development programming based on a 2002 needs assessments conducted at the community level, which determined the urgent needs in Afghan communities such as the rehabilitation of water systems; revitalization of small-scale and traditional agricultural production and other income generating activities; and rehabilitation and development of basic community infrastructure and services. Please consult this website frequently as more updates become available from Afghanistan.

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Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program - Recruitment 2010

Applications for the 2010 Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for High School, University Undergraduates and Adult Chaperones are now being accepted.

Program: Civic Education

Country: Iraq

Haiti Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction

ADF is working in partnership with Haiti's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in mobilizing and providing resources for emergency relief services for the people in Haiti impacted by the earthquake. ADF is providing food, shelter and other resources to earthquake victims in orphanages, schools, displaced persons camps and rural mountain regions. ADF’s food distribution in cooperation with the local Action Committee for the Regeneration of Petit Goave served 20,000 beneficiaries in 46 camps in Petit Goave. In addition to the provision of trapaulins for emergency shelter, ADF is mobilizing resources and building 700 transitional shelters (for 3,500 persons)for peasant families seriously impacted in the rural mountain regions of Petit Goave in cooperation with the Association of Peasants of Vallue. ADF has 25 years working experience in Haiti. In addition to relief services, ADF is supporting reconstruction and development assistance efforts in Haiti. ADF has established a "Haiti Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Fund" seeking resources necessary for emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction services. Contributions to this Fund, which are U.S. tax deductible, can be made directly to America’s Development Foundation , a 501(c) 3 tax exempt charitable organization, or by going to www.youtube.com/adfusa.

Country: China, Haiti

Local Economic Development Highlight

"Local self-government has two choices: to order the strategy from a specialized institution, pay a lot of money for it, and get the material fast, or to choose a much slower, participatory process and develop a plan relying on local experts and assistance on outside consultants. We chose the participatory process, worked for 15 months, but now we have a strategy understood by all members of the community, who are now prepared to implement it, because they were the ones who participated in its development.” – says Atila Babi, president of Backa Topola municipality

Program: Local Economic Development

Country: Serbia

ADF supported the founding of Fruit Marketing Federation in Serbia

ADF supported the founding of Fruit Marketing Federation “Apple Land” in North of Vojvodina - Agricultural sector development in Serbia has been severely impeded during the last 20 years by the economic fluctuations and political problems which followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. As a result, agricultural output has been far below its potential. These influences have also depleted the capital base of farmers and agro-processors, leading to inefficient production and public institutions that are ill-suited to a market economy. Recognizing the significant potential for the growth and development of fruit farming , USAID through its implementing partner ADF supported the “Vocko” cooperative from Tavankut, a community near Subotica, by providing it with basic equipment for handling and storing the apples. In addition, ADF negotiated preferential loan arrangements for the cooperative and facilitated capacity building trainings for its management. >>>Read More>>>

Country: Serbia

A Modern Twist on Traditional Crafts, Serbia Program

ADF supported Ethno-Network strives to make handicraft production profitable - Until recently, those looking for well-made, traditional handicrafts in Serbia had to look pretty hard. Good quality products were being made but only shoppers in-the-know could easily find them. Over the past year, ADF has been working on a project to help producers to more effectively market and sell their homemade and original crafts. Recognizing the quality and beauty of what can be made in Serbia, the “Ethno-network” project was designed to produce and promote products that are the result of the cultural wealth of centuries of tradition—in a way that they can be appreciated and sold in the modern world. USAID’s Community Revitalization through Democratic Action – Economy (CRDA-E) partner America’s Development Foundation (ADF) began this program by working with women’s groups from Vojvodina and Eastern Serbia. >>>Read More>>>

Country: Serbia

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