Barren, Mine-filled Desert Brought To Life

In 2005, Sheikh Misri, located near Jalalabad in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar was known as a barren land littered with land mines and unexploded ordnances. Today, after a lot of handwork and cooperation from the United Nations, the Afghan government, international aid agencies and provide donors, one can clearly see the major improvements that have been made and the fact that life has become a lot easier for the residents of this area. A report released today by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that, “United Nations-supported Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA) has cleared 1,257,937 square metres of landmine-hazard area, destroyed 69 anti-vehicles and anti-personnel mines and 1,816 unexploded ordnance (UXOs).” The report further states that, “Now, this otherwise lifeless desert has been a home to about 2,500 families…” There is bus service, a school, a clinic, a 20-bed hospital has almost been completed, and much more construction projects are scheduled. This is a great example of everyone getting together and doing the right thing for the people of Afghanistan. For more on this story, click here.

Photos of Sheikh Misri (courtesy of UNAMA), click on image to enlarge.