Recent floods have put deep scars in the land along the roads in Afghanistan. Large stones and huge gashes - two or three feet deep - run from the nearby hills through the farmland, tracing the flood’s path. Compounded with the devastation of war, development experts also cite erosion and lack of quality workmanship as major factors for Afghanistan’s poor road system. In addition, the community’s duty to provide regular maintenance to the roads have been overlooked.

Afghan staff learned to crown and compact roads to allow for proper drainage, to dig side ditches, and use culverts to capture the runoff. They received training on how to use small equipment, such as compactors, that reduce traditional labor-intensive work.

In addition, experienced engineers shared design standards, lessons in logistics, and how to select choice road materials. NGOs then put their training to work in the rebuilding of the roads while providing significant outreach to the villages on its maintenance.