“Everyone is responsible for their own development, their own community’s development,” Abdul Samad Hami, Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.

Pacha Gull, leader of the Community Development Council for the Aliceghan resettlement project, outlines the concerns of residents to Government leaders and officials, international partners and traditional elders.

August, Aliceghan, Kabul – Afghan community leaders, Government officials and international partners agreed this week to strengthen support for the Aliceghan Community Development Council (CDC) and through it, assist the community meet the challenges facing the project, in particular the latest developments in an ongoing water supply dispute.

Aliceghan, a resettlement project just over an hour's drive from Kabul, grew out of the Government's desire to reintegrate returnees into society after decades of war forced millions of Afghans to flee overseas. Since the fall of the Taliban, over 3.2 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and a further 1.5 million have returned from Iran.

With the Government designating the land for Aliceghan, and Australia providing most of the $8.4 million funding, UNDP managed the funds and partnered with UNHCR, CARE and UNHABITAT to work through Government ministries and departments to implement the project from September 2006 until 31 December 2009, when it was formally handed over to the Government.

"We thank UNDP and the other partners for supporting us here in Aliceghan but more support is needed from all to help the refugees who have settled here," said Pacha Gull, leader of the Aliceghan CDC, addressing the Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, officials, donors and other partners at a traditional meeting called in the settlement on 23 August.

More than a 1,000 houses were built at Aliceghan, a school and other infrastructure by December 2009, and at that time it was seen as a model for similar projects. However, the UN and other partners have continued to work with the authorities to help deal with issues that have arisen: in particular, a shortage of water arising from a dispute between a neighbouring community and the government.

"There are 250 families living here but the water supply issue is a big problem. I believe that if the water supply issue is resolved then all the problems will be solved," Gull told the packed meeting hall.

Abdul Samad Hami, Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Manoj Basnyat, UNDP Afghanistan Country Director, and other government, donor and community leaders listen intently to all sides at the recent Aliceghan community meeting.

The water issue arises from a land dispute involving the neighbouring community of Qarabagh, representatives from which say they own the Aliceghan land and not the Government and as a result they have been refusing to allow water from the Qarabagh river to supply Aliceghan. This has so far prevented a long-term water supply solution, a reason many believe largely explains the low occupancy in Aliceghan.

As a stopgap measure, the CDC arranged for the Government with UNDP support to truck in water for the people of Aliceghan but all participants at the meeting, including the District Governor of Qarabagh, agreed that for a longer-term solution, the two communities and the Government needed to reach agreement and improve coordination with all involved.

"I would suggest establishing a coordinating body… There is no other option but coordination. Please prioritize the public good over your own interests… Everyone is responsible for their own development, their own community's development," said Abdul Samad Hami, Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.

International representatives from UNDP, UNHCR and CARE also addressed the traditional meeting, which lasted for more than two and half hours, and all acknowledged the continued difficulties and pledged further support to Aliceghan's CDC in its lead role for the community. They also fully backed the Deputy Minister's call for greater coordination. Discussion also focused on supporting further training and employment opportunities at the community.

Children at Aliceghan help fill containers with water for their parents. Obtaining a permanent water supply has long been a problem arising from a land dispute between the Government and a neighbouring community.

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