AVIPA PLUS PROGRESS IN RC-SOUTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 000433 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM, INR/B STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA USFOR-A FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAGR PREL AF SUBJECT: AVIPA PLUS PROGRESS IN RC-SOUTH REF: A. (A) 09 KABUL 3739 ¶B. (B) 09 KABUL 2939 KABUL 00000433 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The visibility of the USAID-funded Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture Plus (AVIPA Plus) program is growing in Regional Command-South (RC-South),and we are seeing progress in seven key districts in Helmand and Kandahar provinces. AVIPA Plus is a key stabilization program to bring agricultural development to recently cleared districts in RC-South. The carrot of receiving cash and critical agricultural inputs with future benefits to their livelihoods is contributing to the shaping operations and stability within RC-South. Paras 3-5 contain anecdotal examples of AVIPA Plus accomplishments. End Summary. AVIPA PLUS IN RC-SOUTH -------------- ¶2. (SBU) AVIPA Plus operates in seven districts in RC-SOUTH: Kandahar province ) Arghandab and Spin Boldak and Helmand province ) Nad Ali, Nawa, Garmsir, Nahr-e Saraj, and Lashkar Gah. It is poised to commence operations in two other districts within Kandahar: District Eight of Kandahar City and Zhari. AVIPA Plus is implemented by International Relief and Development (IRD),an international NGO, and programming consists of four components: cash-for-work, training, small grants, and vouchers for agricultural inputs. FIGHTING THE TALIBAN WITH AVIPA IN NAD ALI -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Following a recent clearing operation to prepare for military operations in Marjah, villagers approached the District governor to register for cash-for-work programs under AVIPA Plus. A few after registering, the local Taliban villagers began to intimidate the villagers and left night letters at the homes of elders. Elders have welcomed economic support to their areas, including AVIPA Plus, and reported to the U.S. staffed-Nad Ali District Support Team (DST) that they went to the Taliban leaders to negotiate with them. In the meeting, the elders questioned the insurgents why their village should not receive the same work benefits as other villages in the district. The elders told the Taliban leaders that they would not obey their directive and instead if they tried to prevent the villagers from taking part in the AVIPA Plus program, they would raise a force in opposition to the insurgents. (Note: Residents of Nad Ali are fully aware of the widely publicized upcoming operations in Marjah, a community near the district center. End Note) LAYING DOWN ARMS FOR WAGES IN NAWA, HELMAND -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Since September 2009, AVIPA Plus has provided approximately 1900 Afghans with short term cash for work opportunities, with plans to employ 4000 in the near future. Project locations have focused on secure areas near the district center, but as the Community Council and District Governor have begun to take greater responsibility for assigning projects and holding communities accountable for security, there is concerted effort by the DST and implementing partners to expand geographical coverage. Insurgents have reportedly begun laying down arms, choosing to participate in the certainty of cash for work wages rather than face the dangers of the upcoming operations. (Note: The population centers of Nad Ali and Nawa are contiguous, with senior tribal elders of Nawa having great influence over nearby Marjah. End Note) By working closely with the DSTs, the AVIPA Plus program is contributing to the shaping operations in Nad Ali. PROGRESS IN ARGHANDAB -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In the Nagahan area of western Arghandab district, villagers have reacted positively to AVIPA Plus program, launched by the Provincial Governor in the district in November 2009. Through cash-for-work, approximately 1800 local villagers have been employed to do orchard management projects, such as removing dead fruit and underbrush. AVIPA Plus also brought agriculture experts from the local university to teach orchard owners how to properly prune their trees that will result in higher, noticeable yields. The program works closely with the USAID-funded Afghanistan Stability Initiative (ASI) program, which focuses on non-agriculture needs, to provide stability projects in the valley. Western Arghandab Valley has been a no-go area due to the high level of insecurity; since last September, village elders have been repeatedly told that security must KABUL 00000433 002.2 OF 002 be improved before any assistance would arrive. In recent weeks, U.S. Special Forces moved into Adira village, indicating significantly improved security, paving the way for continued engagement with GIRoA and for ASI and AVIPA Plus to program in the district. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) AVIPA Plus activities are having a positive impact throughout key areas of RC-South. The carrot of receiving cash and critical agricultural inputs with future benefits to their livelihoods is contributing to the shaping operations and stability within RC-South. We will continue to build on these initial steps and expand the program to support governance and development efforts in the South. Eikenberry