Food Assistance Provided to 552 People in Kunar in Exchange for Work, while 15 Kilometers of Irrigation Canals Were Rehabilitated
August 22, 2026
September 1, 2026
8 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH
As part of the Food Security and Irrigation Canal Rehabilitation Project, food assistance was distributed to 552 eligible individuals in Nurgal District of Kunar Province. The assistance was provided both in exchange for work and to support vulnerable and disadvantaged families.
The project was implemented with financial support from JEN Japan and technical implementation by JENHO, under the overall management of the Natural Resources Directorate of the Kunar Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL).
Of the 552 beneficiaries who received assistance, 332 participated through the food-for-work component, while 220 were selected from vulnerable and eligible households. Food packages were distributed to all beneficiaries in accordance with the project plan.
As part of the project activities, 15 kilometers of irrigation canals were cleaned, while 210 meters of canals were structurally rehabilitated in various areas of Nurgal District. These improvements are expected to facilitate irrigation of agricultural land and reduce water losses, contributing to more efficient use of available water resources.
The ceremony marking the distribution of assistance and the completion of project activities was attended by Mawlawi Zubair Saeedi, Head of the Natural Resources Department of the Kunar Directorate of Agriculture; Technical Advisor Sayed Hafizullah Saeedi; technical and professional staff; the Executive Director of JENHO and representatives from the eastern region; the Deputy District Governor of Nurgal; staff from the Agricultural Services Management Department; and local community elders.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Technical and Professional Advisor from the Kunar Directorate of Agriculture expressed his appreciation for the activities carried out by JENHO and thanked the organization for its cooperation. He also provided community members with guidance on the importance of water, responsible water management, and the proper maintenance and preservation of irrigation canals.
Meanwhile, Shaukat Ali Zakhliwal, Eastern Region Representative of JENHO, provided detailed technical information on the project’s activities and achievements. He highlighted that, in line with the project’s objectives, practical measures had been implemented to improve food security and enhance irrigation conditions for agricultural land.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Deputy District Governor of Nurgal praised the effectiveness of the project and the activities undertaken to support vulnerable families and farmers. The ceremony concluded with prayers.
The Food Security and Irrigation Canal Rehabilitation Project is designed to address two interconnected needs: supporting the food security of vulnerable households while improving access to water for agricultural land through the cleaning and rehabilitation of irrigation canals.
Through the food-for-work approach, the project provides short-term livelihood support to vulnerable communities while also creating opportunities for local people to contribute directly to the rehabilitation of essential community infrastructure. In this way, the project aims to strengthen both household food security and the resilience of agricultural communities in the targeted areas.
