Azhdar Bala is an area located in PD4 of Bamyan City with a high number of Internally Displaced People and marginalized groups. Because of the poor economic situation of residents, houses have not been built to the appropriate standard of construction which resulted in damage from seasonal floods. In addition, the lack of culverts has been a major challenge for the area, in particular for women and children while commuting because of flooding.

Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Program (AUSSP) promotes safe, secure, and inclusive cities, working in Bamyan and seven other cities in Afghanistan. Working together with the Municipality and Community Development Councils (CDCs), during the initial stages of the program mobilization, the team identified the marginalized groups of the Azhdar Bala community by listening to their requests and problems. Community people undertook themselves prioritization of projects to implement thirteen culverts over the flood canals and which was supported by the Swiss Development and Cooperation and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with the technical assistance of UN-Habitat/AUSSP Team.

Before the implementation of the project

After the implementation of the project

The building of these culverts positively changed the daily lives of residents of Azhdar Bala area. Ms. Uzra Lali, a CDC member of Azhdar Bala said: “as it is obvious that Bamyan is mostly cold and snowy during the seasons so, in the past, it was very difficult for the residents to commute and crossing the floodway canal, and somehow it was very dangerous to pass but now, residents are very happy and they commute and crossing the floodway safe and sound.” She added “I’ve a small boot & handbag manufacturing shop so due to lack of culvert and safe paths I had to run my business in the downtown area. Now, the culvert is built up and safety is provided so I brought my shop inside my own house because women from close by area can work with me and I can take my products to Bazaar very easily.” Ms. Uzra Lali believes that this project (culvert) has improved safety, security, and the economic situation of the residents.

The photos below illustrate the situation before and after which the project was implemented. Communities called it a remarkable improvement in terms of safety and security.