Helmand governor, UNAMA discuss province’s key challenges

Helmand Governor Amanuddin Mansour met with UNAMA Deputy Special Representative Bruno Lemarquis and his delegation on Sunday to discuss security, economic development and humanitarian needs in the province.

The meeting at the Helmand Provincial Governor’s Office covered a range of issues, including security and stability, development projects, healthcare, agriculture, alternative livelihoods to poppy cultivation, project funding and markets for agricultural and industrial products.

Mansour briefed the UNAMA delegation on the situation in Helmand and called for greater cooperation to address the needs of local communities and expand development opportunities.

Lemarquis thanked provincial officials for their cooperation and praised what he described as efforts to improve administration, maintain security and stability and prevent corruption.

He said the security situation had created a favourable environment for economic and development activities, while stressing that further work and joint efforts were needed to improve people’s economic conditions.

The UNAMA deputy also highlighted the importance of providing farmers with legal and sustainable alternatives to poppy cultivation, alongside efforts to prevent poppy production.

The two sides discussed mobilising funding for development projects and expanding healthcare services, with Lemarquis calling for stronger coordination between relevant institutions.

The meeting also focused on marketing Helmand’s agricultural and industrial products, including cotton. According to the Helmand Governor’s Office, Uzbekistan has expressed strong interest in purchasing Afghan cotton, making access to foreign markets an important opportunity for farmers and producers in the province.

Members of the UN delegation raised issues and questions concerning different sectors of Helmand and discussed possible solutions with provincial officials.

Mansour responded to the issues raised and outlined the province’s major challenges, needs and proposed solutions. He also called for increased cooperation to expand economic and development projects, improve livelihoods, strengthen healthcare and find markets for agricultural products.

Both sides agreed on the need to continue and strengthen cooperation in support of Helmand’s population and its economic and development priorities.

Lemarquis was accompanied by Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s country representative in Afghanistan; Mihyung Park, head of the International Organization for Migration office in Afghanistan; Polleak Ok Serei, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Afghanistan, as well as representatives from UNICEF, the UN Refugee Agency and other officials.