The Government of Canada supports the National Area-Based Development Program (NABDP), a multi-donor funded project implemented in Afghanistan by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) under the management of the United Nations Development Programme.

The NABDP allows communities to express needs and priorities with regards to infrastructure construction and rehabilitation projects through District Development Assemblies (DDAs). This allows the Government of Afghanistan to support rural rehabilitation and development in an integrated, people-focused, inclusive, and participatory manner. The program contributes to the sustainable reduction of poverty and the improvement of livelihoods in rural areas by implementing construction and rehabilitation projects nominated by the DDAs.

Canada has made special contributions to the NABDP’s delivery in Kandahar province. These contributions are supporting the construction of a series of infrastructure projects aimed at providing valuable local employment and enhancing the capacity of the MRRD to effectively deliver reconstruction programming in a transparent, accountable, and cost-effective manner.

As of December 2010, about 382 DDAs have been established across Afghanistan (one in each of the 17 districts of Kandahar province). Over 1860 projects have been completed (268 in Kandahar province). Some examples of projects are:

• The construction of schools, clinics, and public buildings.
• The construction of bridges, dams, and wells.
• The rehabilitation of roads and the construction of culverts.
• The rehabilitation of canals.
• The construction of water distribution networks.

• Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development National Area-Based Development Programme