22 August 2017, Kunduz. 

Afghanistan Urban Peacebuilding Programme (AUPP) has supported more than 120 Community Development Councils (CDCs) and Gozar Assemblies (GAs) in eight strategic cities; Bamyan, Farah, Herat, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kunduz, Nili and Mazar-e-Sharif on community infrastructure for creating safer environments.

With concentration on the urban terrain of peacebuilding and state building, the programme strengthening the delivery of services, especially related to security; improving local government responsiveness and accountability; and strengthening partnerships between government, communities, civil society, and security providers.

AUPP recently implemented the lighting streets project through CDCs and GAs to provide a safer environment for the communities. A1 CDC prioritized it in district 1-2-3-4 of Kunduz city. This project beneficiates directly 97,000 people in Kunduz city.

“People had concerns over dark streets after sunset, which could induce crimes, such as kidnapping and robberies. After establishing Community Development Councils (CDC), the community members participated in safety assessment process and identified several safety projects. Amongst all, the street lighting project was selected to improve the safety and security of Kunduz city with safer streets for all.” Said Abdul Rahim, a school teacher in Kunduz city.

He continued, I think this project helps our community to unite and set long term goals for community development. It establishes the mechanism of people’s contribution to meet the community needs. The project also encouraged people to make their decision for better future of their own lives.”

The lighting project covers 10 km road and has 207 pillars. It is financially supported by the government of Netherlands and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with the cost of 777,87 USD with 10 % community contributions.