Afghanistan government has launched its first major climate change adaptation initiative with the help of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Six million dollar project aims at protecting vulnerable sections of society from the effects of climate change and to help institutions in capacity building for addressing climate change risks.

Launching the programme in central Bamiyan province yesterday Michael Keating, Resident Coordinator of UN in Afghanistan appreciated Afghan Government for showing its commitment to work with communities in dealing with climate change in the country. The head of Afghanistan’s National Environment Protection Agency Mostapha Zaher hoped that with the people’s cooperation development plans could be made environment friendly.

The UNEP programme envisages improved water management, community-based watershed management; improved agroforestry and pasture development, climate-related research and early warning systems and improved food security. The scheme will be implemented in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan and Daikundi provinces of Afghanistan.

The importance of the UN supported climate change initiative in Afghanistan can be estimated from the fact that 80 per cent of Afghans are directly dependent on natural resources. Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 60 per cent of the country’s population.

Since 1998, more than 6.7 million Afghans have been affected by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions such as drought, avalanches, earthquakes, sandstorms and harsh winters. Although six million dollar UN project for a country of Afghanistan’s size is not sufficient, even then it is a good beginning for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.