In Paktika Province, ACDO has successfully implemented an agriculture project with the financial support of UNDP, providing advanced agricultural technology and distributing improved saplings to 100 direct beneficiaries. This intervention is expected to benefit a total of 700 families, comprising 20% female and 80% male beneficiaries.

The overall objective of this initiative is to enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security, and promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable families in the region. By introducing improved saplings and modern agricultural practices, the project aims to increase crop yields, foster self-reliance, and contribute to environmental sustainability through reforestation and better land use practices.

Additionally, the intervention empowers local communities by creating opportunities for income generation and reducing reliance on traditional, less efficient farming methods. A special focus has been placed on including female beneficiaries, ensuring gender-inclusive participation in agricultural development. Through this project, ACDO is not only addressing immediate agricultural challenges but also building the capacity of farmers, promoting economic resilience, and supporting long-term development goals for the families and communities in Paktika Province.

This intervention is designed to address urgent WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) needs in Nangarhar province by ensuring that communities, schools, and health centers have access to safe, gender-appropriate facilities, improved water systems, and essential hygiene supplies. The initiative aims to promote healthier living conditions, reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, and improve overall well-being for vulnerable populations, especially women, girls, and children.

Key activities under this intervention include:

• Provision of Emergency Sanitation Facilities

  • Construction of 120 gender-appropriate emergency household latrines and bathroom facilities at the community level.

  • Establishment of 12 gender-appropriate emergency latrines and bathroom facilities at public schools and health centers to ensure privacy and dignity, particularly for women and girls.

• Distribution of Safe Water and Hygiene Supplies

  • Distribution of 105 safe water storage and treatment kits to households, enabling families to access and consume clean drinking water.

  • Distribution of 2,030 hygiene kits to vulnerable households to promote safe hygiene practices and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

• Rehabilitation of Water Supply Systems

  • Rehabilitation of 8 water supply systems/networks across 4 targeted districts of Nangarhar, providing reliable and sustainable access to clean and safe water for affected communities.

• Community-Level Awareness and Engagement (Complementary Activity)

  • Conduct hygiene promotion sessions to raise awareness about proper sanitation practices.

  • Train local community members in the operation and maintenance of rehabilitated water systems to ensure sustainability.

The project is designed to safeguard the rights and well-being of vulnerable children and their families returning through the Islam Qala border. Many of these children face heightened risks such as neglect, exploitation, abuse, and separation from family during displacement and return. To respond to these urgent needs, a Child Protection Help Desk will be established at the Zero Point of Islam Qala to provide immediate assistance, referral services, and in-kind support to returnee children and families.

The overall objective is to ensure that children are protected, supported, and connected to lifesaving services while their dignity and rights are respected.

Key activities under this intervention include:

·         Establishment of a Child Protection Help Desk

o    Set up a fully functional help desk at the Zero Point of Islam Qala to provide on-the-spot assistance and guidance to returnees.

o    Deploy trained Child Protection staff to identify and respond to urgent cases among returning children.

·         Case Identification, Management, and Referrals

o    Identify children at risk, including unaccompanied and separated children, survivors of abuse or neglect, and children with urgent protection needs.

o    Provide case management services and make referrals to specialized services such as psychosocial support, health care, education, and legal aid.

·         Provision of In-Kind Support

o    Distribute emergency supplies such as dignity kits, clothes, shoes, and other child-friendly items to vulnerable children and families.

o    Provide age-appropriate recreational kits to create safe and friendly spaces for children during the return process.

·         Psychosocial Support and Awareness Sessions

o    Deliver basic psychosocial first aid and emotional support to distressed children and caregivers.

o    Conduct awareness sessions for families on child rights, positive parenting, and protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation.

·         Coordination and Community Engagement

o    Collaborate with border authorities, humanitarian agencies, and child protection networks to ensure effective service delivery.

o    Engage community representatives to strengthen referral pathways and promote child safety during reintegration.

The ongoing return of Afghan families from neighboring countries has placed significant pressure on communities in Herat, Farah, and Badghis provinces. Among the most vulnerable are children of returnee families, many of whom have been deprived of education for extended periods due to displacement. To address this urgent need, the project will focus on establishing Temporary Learning Schools (TLSs) to ensure that children have immediate access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities.

This initiative will target a total of 7,800 returnee boys and girls across the three provinces, helping them reintegrate into the education system, regain their confidence, and build a foundation for a brighter future. In addition to providing access to education, the program will also contribute to the psychosocial well-being of children, promote social cohesion, and reduce protection risks associated with out-of-school children.

Key activities under this intervention include:

• Establishment of Temporary Learning Schools (TLSs):

  • Set up safe and accessible TLS structures in returnee-populated areas of Herat, Farah, and Badghis.

  • Ensure gender-sensitive learning environments with adequate facilities for both boys and girls.

• Provision of Teaching and Learning Materials:

  • Supply school kits, textbooks, stationery, and other essential learning materials to enrolled children.

  • Provide teachers with teaching aids and resources to improve the quality of instruction.

• Recruitment and Capacity Building of Teachers:

  • Recruit qualified teachers from local communities, prioritizing female teachers to promote gender inclusivity.

  • Conduct training sessions for teachers on child-centered teaching methods, psychosocial support, and classroom management.

• Child-Friendly and Protective Learning Environment:

  • Create child-friendly spaces within TLSs that support both learning and psychosocial well-being.

  • Integrate recreational and extracurricular activities to promote children’s social development.

• Community Mobilization and Engagement:

  • Work closely with community elders, parents, and local education authorities to encourage enrollment and attendance.

  • Raise awareness among families about the importance of education, particularly for girls.

• Monitoring and Support Systems:

  • Regularly monitor attendance, learning outcomes, and teaching quality in TLSs.

  • Establish referral mechanisms for children with special needs or protection concerns.

In response to the urgent educational needs of children affected by emergencies, the Global Partnership for Education Fund (GPE/ESPIG) is supporting the establishment of Community-Based Classes (CBCs) and Accelerated Learning Centers (ALCs). These learning opportunities are specifically designed to reach children in hard-to-access areas who are out of school due to conflict, displacement, or lack of nearby formal schools.

Through this intervention, a total of 1,504 children will gain access to education, including 453 boys (30%) and 1,051 girls (70%). The strong focus on girls’ participation aims to close the gender gap in education and ensure that vulnerable girls are not left behind. The program not only improves access but also enhances the quality of learning, child protection, and psychosocial well-being of children living in crisis-affected communities.

Key activities under this intervention include:

• Establishment of Community-Based Classes (CBCs) and ALCs

  • Set up learning spaces within communities where formal schools are not accessible.

  • Ensure gender-sensitive and child-friendly environments to encourage participation, especially of girls.

• Provision of Teaching and Learning Materials

  • Supply school kits, textbooks, stationery, and teaching aids to children and teachers.

  • Distribute learning materials tailored to accelerated curricula for older out-of-school children.

• Teacher Recruitment and Capacity Building

  • Recruit and train qualified teachers from local communities, with a focus on female teachers to promote inclusivity.

  • Provide training on child-centered methodologies, psychosocial support, and classroom management.

• Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs)

  • Implement flexible and condensed learning programs to help over-aged and out-of-school children catch up.

  • Prepare learners for eventual reintegration into the formal education system.

• Community Engagement and Awareness

  • Mobilize community leaders and parents to promote the importance of education, particularly for girls.

  • Establish community education committees to monitor and support classes.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Support Services

  • Regularly track children’s attendance, progress, and learning outcomes.

  • Provide psychosocial support and referral services for children with protection needs.

To strengthen access to quality education and provide children with safe, inclusive, and child-friendly learning environments, this intervention will focus on the construction and rehabilitation of 9 schools across 6 districts of Samangan province. Many schools in the region suffer from poor infrastructure, inadequate classrooms, and lack of basic facilities, which significantly hampers children’s ability to learn in a safe and motivating environment.

By investing in the renovation and construction of school facilities, this initiative aims to improve the overall quality of education, enhance safety, and encourage greater enrollment and retention, particularly for girls who are often most affected by the lack of proper infrastructure.

Key activities under this intervention include:

• School Construction and Rehabilitation

  • Renovation of damaged classrooms, walls, roofs, and flooring.

  • Construction of new classrooms to reduce overcrowding and improve the learning environment.

  • Rehabilitation of boundary walls and gates to enhance school security.

• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Facilities

  • Construction of gender-sensitive latrines and handwashing stations.

  • Installation or repair of safe drinking water systems.

  • Hygiene promotion activities to improve health and well-being of students.

• Child-Friendly and Inclusive Spaces

  • Creation of play areas and shaded spaces for recreation.

  • Ensuring accessibility for children with disabilities.

• Community and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Involvement of school management committees, parents, and local leaders in school rehabilitation processes.

  • Awareness sessions to promote education and increase enrollment, particularly of girls.

• Monitoring and Quality Assurance

  • Regular supervision of construction/rehabilitation works to ensure standards are met.

  • Handover of renovated schools to local education authorities for sustainability.

The Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ghor Province, faces severe threats from flooding and erosion caused by the Jam River. Protecting this unique cultural heritage site requires urgent intervention to prevent further damage and ensure its long-term preservation. As part of the emergency response, the project will focus on the construction of a gabion wall along the riverbank adjacent to the Minaret.

Gabion walls are durable, flexible, and highly effective in stabilizing riverbanks and preventing erosion. This activity will safeguard the Minaret and its surrounding landscape, while also contributing to the protection of local communities and cultural heritage.

Key activities under this intervention include:

• Supply and Installation of Gabion Boxes

  • Procurement and delivery of high-quality gabion boxes to the site.

  • Proper alignment and installation of gabion boxes along the Jam River’s vulnerable sections.

• Provision and Placement of Stone Materials

  • Supply of strong, durable stones suitable for filling the gabion boxes.

  • Careful filling and arrangement of stones to ensure structural integrity and longevity.

• Backfilling and Compaction Works

  • Backfilling of soil and materials around the gabion wall.

  • Compaction of the filled areas to stabilize the structure and minimize future erosion.

• Site Preparation and Finishing

  • Clearing and leveling the site to facilitate construction.

  • Final inspection to ensure the wall’s stability, durability, and alignment with preservation standards.

• Contingency and Support Activities

  • Provision for transportation and safe storage of construction materials.

  • Deployment of skilled labor and equipment to ensure timely completion.

This emergency intervention focuses on restoring essential drinking water sources and rehabilitating critical infrastructure in earthquake-affected districts of Kunar and Nangarhar Provinces. The program is implemented through cash-for-work modalities to support local livelihoods while rebuilding vital systems.

·        Key Activities Include:

·        Restoration of Drinking Water Sources

o   Repair and cleaning of damaged wells and boreholes

o   Installation of hand pumps and water filtration units

o   Chlorination and water quality testing to ensure safe consumption

·        Rehabilitation and Renovation of Water Infrastructure

o   Reconstruction of small-scale water supply systems

o   Repair of gravity-fed water schemes and spring protection structures

o   Installation of water storage tanks and distribution pipelines

·         Culvert and Access Route Rehabilitation

o   Clearing debris and stabilizing landslides along access roads

o   Repair and reconstruction of culverts to restore drainage

o   Grading and surfacing of rural roads to improve mobility

·        Cash-for-Work Implementation

o   Hiring local laborers for infrastructure rehabilitation tasks

o   Providing short-term income to vulnerable households

o   Offering basic training in construction and water system maintenance

·        Community Engagement and Capacity Building

o   Conducting hygiene awareness sessions and water conservation workshops

o   Forming local water management committees

o   Training community members in operation and maintenance of water systems

·        Monitoring and Evaluation

o   Regular field assessments to track progress and quality

o   Feedback collection from beneficiaries to improve implementation

o   Coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners