Luxembourg's development cooperation - Annual report 2016

As in previous years, there is no direct bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan; therefore, Luxembourg’s development cooperation is continuing its projects in close collaboration with the PATRIP (Pakistan Afghanistan Tajikistan Regional Integration Programme) foundation. Projects financed by Luxembourg through the foundation and implemented by the Danish NGO Mission East are focusing on the sectors of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). In addition, the NGO is investing more in risk-reduction in order to enhance the sustainability of its projects. In 2016, Luxembourg’s development cooperation contributed 850 000 euros, which enabled piped water to be supplied and lavatories to be installed in 28 mountainous villages, 18 on the Afghan and 10 on the Tajik side of the border. In addition, 627 toilets, some with access for persons with reduced mobility, and 14 compost toilets were installed in those villages. The construction phase of this project is 80% complete. Furthermore, ground stabilisation and infrastructure protection projects were implemented in most villages to tackle the natural disasters that are rife in the region. Mission East is also involved in repairing school infrastructure in these villages where needed.