Oct 4, 2010
On 4th of October 2010, it was a great honor and privilege for UN-HABITAT Afghanistan to celebrate the World Habitat Day at its Head Office in Kabul, Afghanistan. We, on this occasion, invited all staff based in Kabul to congratulate them on their efforts to achieve project activities under difficult security condition in 20 provinces across the country of Afghanistan by promoting people's process approach and empowerment of communities. In addition to the Head Office in Kabul, both female and male national staff and international staff who were on mission met together to celebrate the World Habitat Day 2010 in Mazar-e-Sharif with a theme of "Better City, Better Life."
In Kabul, Mr. Jan Turkstra, Country Representative a.i., first congratulated the World Habitat Day 2010 and hailed the achievements made by all the staff working not only in Kabul but in other provinces as well. In his message, it was addressed that although we had been facing a challenging security environment which had put our staff in the fields in a difficult condition to work, all the endeavors to implement projects would be supported and UN-HABITAT thus calls upon all staff to join hands on to achieve goals of the projects in Afghanistan.
In Mazar-e-Sharif, the World Habitat Day 2010 was also widely celebrated in Balkh Province of Afghanistan where high ranking government officials were invited to participate in this special occasion on 4th October 2010. The celebration ceremony was convened with an opening remark by the Provincial Manager of Balkh Province followed by several other speeches from the government officials and other UN HABITAT staff. In the speech, it is remarked that excellent work of UN-HABITAT had been highly appreciated by all partners as well as the governments such as Municipality of Mazar-e-Sharif, Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, the Provincial Council of Balkh, Department of Women Affairs, Department of Education, UNAMA and the Department of Religious Affairs. One of the partners said that with UN-HABITAT's philosophy, we had been working with the community, learning from the community and trusting them over the years." Head of Women Affairs Department, Mrs. Fereba Majeed, who was a UN-HABITAT staff in late 1990, said that UN-HABITAT is a family in which every member dedicates his or her life in the service of the people and community. It is the only agency in Afghanistan who has been working closely with communities in a practical approach of people's process.
Mrs. Robaba, who is a representative of the Provincial Council of Balkh and has supported the efforts of UN-HABITAT in Bamiyan and Balkh for a long time, addressed, "I have known this agency for a long time and have worked closely with its staff members. They have been really investing in human capital and helped explore economic opportunities in local communities. I pray and hope that they continue to their good work in a safe environment."
UN-HABITAT Mazar-e-Sharif started its first phase of operations during the Taliban regime in 1996. It has since then implemented projects that extended its reach to both the urban and rural communities. UN-HABITAT in Mazar-e-Sharif, like other provinces, has a credible record of working as a catalyst for the people, with the people and by the people.
