BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 19, 2008) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai took the opportunity to thank the international community for their help in reconstructing Bamyan and all of Afghanistan during a ceremony held in Bamyan, Thursday.

The ceremony celebrated the reconstruction of a road that runs from the provincial capital in Bamyan to Nayak in the Yakawlang District.  The 60 million dollar project is being financed by the Asian Development Bank and the people of Japan.  Karzai says this important project will employ hundreds of people and open up areas of opportunity for economic growth.

Task Force Warrior assisted in providing security for Karzai while he was the special guest at an event in Bamyan.

Since 2003, the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team has worked with numerous aid organizations to complete projects in the area with the primary purpose to support the people of Bamyan.  The added security allows focus on development and governance.

Roads, culverts and flood protection, as well as schools, police stations, and healthcare are the focus of development efforts.  Water and sanitation, along with micro hydro systems, are other projects in the works for Bamyan.