Embedded Files
1. Community demographics
According to key informant interviews with local authority figures who referred to a council survey, there are approximately 1000 households with 6800 - 7000 people living in the village of Charkh, Meramoor district. Almost the entire village identify as Hazara and speak the Hazaragi dialect of Dari. Key informants estimate that 75 - 80% of the population is under the age of 24.
The community experience some health difficulties, citing the lack of clinics, doctors and medicines as well as seasonal diseases. While local authority figures stated that there is currently no IDP population present in Charkh village, they estimate about 200 people have returned from migration, mostly from Iran. They also predict there will be little migration over the coming years, with most people in the community continuing to live there.
2. Community geography and economic profile
The village is located in rugged hilly terrain surrounded on three sides by mountains. The village lies next to a lake that has enough water in the spring, but is usually dry in the summer. There is a small dam at the top of the valley, with low capacity, but local authority figures noted it is very important for the people in the village. The village is approximately 50km away from Helmand River.
The houses in the village are constructed of mud. The village is not densely populated with houses spaced 100 to 200 metres away from each-other on hills. Houses are closer to each-other in some areas. Households access potable water through wells and springs which some local authority figures described as unreliable. Non-residential buildings in the village include a mosque, a school, a clinic and a hotel.
3. Economic profile
Almost the whole community work in agriculture with a small number of the community owning shops according to key informants.
4. Energy profile
There is no connection to grid or community-based off-grid electricity.
Local authority figures noted that almost all villagers use solar home systems with low capacity. Households use wood, mountain thorns and animal dung for cooking in earthen stoves as well as to heat their houses.
A petrol station, fuel shop, liquid gas shop and firewood shop are all located in the Bazaar in the nearby town of Jawz.
Charkh Head of Council on changes over the previous decade –
“Yes, this town has changed in a major way in the last ten years for instance, people have got access to solar power, schools have been constructed and our children have acquired higher education.”
Google Sites
Report abuse