04 April 2012
DFID Afghanistan's Livelihoods Adviser, Dominic Parker, recently visited Herat in the Western part of Afghanistan to see how a de-mining project the UK supports through the HALO Trust is transforming the lives of people who have endured over three decades of conflict. Today, on International Mine Awareness Day, Dominic recounts his visit:
Dominic with Mullah Neoka, two of his sons and their new water supply. Pictures: Catherine Belfield-Haines/DFID
"I spent the first day in Herat seeing for myself how our project support is improving the lives of over 22,000 people in two villages in the district of Koshan. This included a breathtaking three hour drive to the village of A Islam Qala - only 5 km from the Iranian border.
"On arrival, HALO staff briefed us on the work in this village. Most of the mines were laid by the Afghan Mujahedeen in the late 1980s when they were fighting the Russians. It was awe-inspiring to see miles of rolling fields in front of us and the hive of agricultural activity on the ground. It was really sobering to realise that only two years ago much of the land was uninhabitable because it was covered in landmines.
"Afterwards I went to see how Mohammad, one of the drivers, clears the mines with his big armoured tractor. After seeing him do it, I got to drive the tractor on a safe bit of land which was really fun!
"After the display I met some of village leaders from the local shura whose lives have been improved by the clearing of mines. I was particularly taken with Mullah Neoka whose son was forced to migrate to Iran for work, which is not always a pleasant experience for many Afghans. Now he drives a tractor on his father's cleared land and the family are making a good living. Mullah Neoka showed me his new water pump which he and his sons are proud of.
"The next day I visited the Jebrail site in Herat city. This is a different project where mine clearance takes place in an urban context. It's still safe and local life carries on while mine clearers toil away. For example, I saw local kids playing football, and mothers buying bread for the evening meal. I also met Sher Zaman who is 12 years old. Only two years ago the idea of playing football in the street was impossible, but now, between working hard and planning to become a doctor, he plays football and rides his bike on safe communal ground.
"The work of manually clearing a mine field is slow and tiring, and it was interesting to see it done on the ground. It was winter when I visited, but in the summer it's hot and uncomfortable work, especially wearing all the safety equipment. The visors were heavy and I only had to wear them for half an hour. Local people proudly showed me the cleared land in front of their homes, and you could see how much it had changed their lives. While parts of the country still have landmine issues, the work that we are supporting in Herat has already transformed the lives 127,000 families which gives me a sense of hope for the future of Afghanistan."