"Those of us who had to run are coming back, and we see this new market you have helped us start and we feel hopeful. As long as America is with us, we will start our new lives."
At the request of the Bamiyan Business Association, USAID provided a $36,000 grant to provide materials and labor for rebuilding the Shahidan Market which has brought new life and activity into the bazaar. The debris was cleared from the sidewalks and streets, while new blue doors mark each business stall. The president of the business association reports that fifty stalls were opened, and he believes that more merchants will return.
On November 20, 2002, five thousand girls walked in the doors of the Sultana Razia Girls' School after being banned for more than six years. Located in Mazar-e-Sharif, this school is one of the largest girls' schools in northern Afghanistan. USAID helped with the renovation which cost more than $200,000 and included the restoration of thirty-two fully functional classrooms. This project is one of many which are part of a joint initiative between the governments of Afghanistan and the United States to build or rehabilitate 1,000 schools over the next three years.
Established in 1956, the Ministry of Finance in Afghanistan is responsible for fiscal policy, customs, national budgeting, and taxation. USAID provided approximately $15 million for the Ministry of Finance operations and committed an additional $60 million to be used over three years to support the recent currency exchange, fiscal reform, customs reform, commercial law reform, national budgeting process changes, and tax administration and policy reforms.
Located in the Hindu Kush mountains at an altitude of 11,100 feet, the Salang Tunnel links the main road between north and south Afghanistan. During fighting in 1998 between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance, the tunnel’s southern entrance and entire ventilation system were destroyed. Opening the tunnel was critical for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, economic development, and essential travel by Afghans
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