Field visit to construction site, Alternative
Livelihoods Programme (Afghanistan)Given the size of the
opium economy in Afghanistan, a sharp contraction due to any
concerted eradication measures would almost certainly result in
social and economic hardship for the poor. We are working on the
USAID-funded Alternative Livelihood Programme whose main objective
is to accelerate broad-based regional economic development in the
Eastern Region providing the population with legal and sustainable
livelihood options. The challenge is to come up with forms of aid
management which have the greatest potential for delivering
practical outcomes for the rural population.
In a very difficult and risky environment, we are managing
inputs across many sectors both in institutional strengthening and
capacity building (eg government, private sector and NGO
involvement) as well as providing technical and infrastructural
advice to physical works (eg farm to market roads, irrigation
systems, flood control, alternative energy, regional industrial
park). The work involves extensive consultation across government
line agencies at provincial level and the many stakeholders active
in the rural economy.
In Guyana, in 2005, Mott MacDonald mobilised a six-person team at
short notice to investigate the status of flood control structures
in the low coastal areas in the north. In the immediate term, sea
defences were strengthened and conservancy dams, which retain water
from the backlands, were rehabilitated such that flooding did not
result from subsequent rains. Mott MacDonald was principal adviser
to the UNDP-funded Task Force for Infrastructure Rehabilitation].
Longer term recommendations covered both options for further
investment in control measures as well as options for resettlement
and diversification.
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