In December 2008 ISAF’s Operation Sond Chura, in Nad Ali, cleared the region’s district centre of insurgents. The main town however, was deserted.  The 2,700 residents had fled the fighting and, fearful of a Taliban resurgence, were reluctant to return.  ISAF, the UK and the Afghan Government needed to restore the security and the confidence of local people. 

The District Governor approached the UK Led Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for assistance. In the same month that combat operations ceased, the PRT provided a stabilisation expert recruited, trained and deployed to the front line forward operating base by the Stabilisation Unit. 

“I arrived in the district centre in Dec 2008 and it was completely deserted” says UK Stabilisation Expert, Jim Haggerty, “not a single shop was open and not a soul in sight.  No children were to be seen.”  The Taliban had recently left and the District Governor was keen to show that the legitimate Afghan government could provide for its people, and top of his list was healthcare. 

Jim continues, “The DG was very keen for the Community Health Centre to reopen and, following a [UK funded] refurbishment programme, in Feb 2009 it did so.   This provided the spark that was needed.”  Following this ‘spark’ progress was rapid; families quickly returned to the area as it became clear ISAF and the Afghan Government were here to stay.  The Governor travelled widely, meeting locals at outreach shuras [meetings] to listen to their concerns.  From these shuras, and with input from Jim and the military, a plan was formed to completely renovate the district centre.  

The continued security and reassurance provided by ISAF and ANA troops meant work was well underway by summer 2009.  Money from the UK’s Stabilisation Aid Fund paid for the community health centre but also roads, wells, a mosque, a new bazaar and a market that will provide summer and winter facilities, as well as a compound for local government offices.  These projects are all run by Afghan contractors and provide employment for around 100 locals, all earning a decent wage. 

Afghanistan can only become a stable and secure state if its government can protect and provide for its citizens.  Further military gains in October 2009 brought security to the nearby town of Shin Kalay and Jim could see a “genuine head of steam” developing with each success.  It is now Jan 2010, and with support from the UK, the Afghans are budgeting and planning development projects for themselves. 

Jim continues,”This marks a significant milestone in Nad Ali.  The Council identified a range of education, health, agriculture and infrastructure projects across the district which will deliver tangible benefits for local communities.”  There are also plans to expand into agricultural support to encourage farmers to grow legal crops, rather than poppy which is then used to produce opium.  The success of the Afghan-led rehabilitation of Nad Ali district centre has led to similar schemes being developed for other towns in the district.   

Jim’s time in Helmand is not yet over.  As one of two Stabilisation advisers working with ISAF and the Afghan people in Nad Ali he will face many challenges in the months to come, but progress is being made.When asked about the changes taking place in his District Centre, a resident shop owner, who has recently returned with his family to the area after two years away, said: 

“The progress compared to two years ago is amazing.  I know how safe the place is now. The way the District Governor is transforming the area shows how good a leader he is and how motivated locals can work together to achieve little things that can have a huge impact on the community. 

For this shop keeper the refurbished mosque represents not only a place for communal worship, but something altogether less material.  

“The mosque will become the central location for all to meet and talk.  Afghans will once again be able to do what they had done years ago – talk freely amongst others without reprisal.”

The challenge now is to ensure this progress continues.