On the outskirts of Herat, a community of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, fleeing drought and poverty from across Afghanistan and returning from Iran and Pakistan, strive to carve out new lives in the town of Jibreel. They’ve settled on lands once seen as undesirable, precariously close to flash flood paths that previously invoked dread.

Today, where fear of the next deadly flood once loomed, a sense of calm prevails, catalyzed by the collective efforts of the community with UNDP’s and UNHCR’s support. Together, they address immediate needs while laying a foundation for sustained stability, including through the construction of two protection walls, the implementation of a cash-for-work programme, and support for micro and small businesses. It is part of a “durable solutions” approach.

Community leader Ahmed reminisces, "We used to live on edge, always watching the skies. Now we stand together, watching the water diverted by the wall." 

Proudly, he shows a video on his cell phone, capturing how a protection wall safeguarded nearby families during a recent flood. Neighbors could be heard chatting excitedly as they watched the waters rush by from the safety of their homes. These walls have provided crucial defense against disasters that annually claim hundreds of lives and livelihoods across areas of Afghanistan where infrastructure tends to be scarce and of low quality. 

Community-based infrastructure projects under this joint UNDP-UNHCR initiative, particularly the two protection walls built using a cash-for-work model, have shielded some 4,750 households and offered employment opportunities to skilled and unskilled workers. The community’s significant role in the wall’s construction has fostered a sense of empowerment and collective achievement.

The infrastructure development initiative was paired with support for small businesses, many led by long-term IDPs and returnees, especially women. UNHCR provided initial micro-loans, while UNDP followed with grants for investments in equipment and training.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here, as evidenced by the rise of small and medium enterprises, which have created around 470 jobs from women-led businesses alone. But while Jibreel's transformation has been promising, it highlights a critical need for ongoing durable solutions. Communities like Jibreel require more than physical protection; they need economic and social capital to turn stability into lasting prosperity. 

Foundational challenges persist. Water remains costly, and educational facilities are overwhelmed. In a country where women's rights are restricted and girls are banned from attending school beyond grade 6, the call for a second floor on the girls' school in Jibreel reflects a hunger for education that strains current capacity. The school has not even enough space to educate children in primary school age.

Despite ongoing restrictions on their education and livelihood opportunities, many women are eager to contribute to their families' prosperity. From tailoring to small-scale trade, women are ready to embark on new ventures. One local woman, prevented from pursuing a career as a teacher, described during a recent visit her ambition to start a small business teaching literacy and numeracy to other women.

The tale of Jibreel is one of transformation and cautious optimism. Watching the floods from the safety of their homes, Jibreel’s residents mark a milestone in their shared journey as IDPs and returnees. Their resilience underscores how UNDP, with core resources supported by [LINK to core contributors], can help communities build a foundation for lasting peace.