Emergency Consolidation and Restoration of the site of Jam in Afghanistan -

THE ORGANIZATION

Themes

Worldwide

Emergency Consolidation and Restoration of the site of Jam in Afghanistan

Since July 2003, Switzerland is co-financing a UNESCO Funds-in-Trust project for the emergency consolidation and restoration of the site of Jam in Afghanistan, which is implemented by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre
in cooperation with the UNESCO Kabul office.

Background
In 2002, the archaeological site of Jam, located in the Ghor province in Western Afghanistan, was successfully nominated as Afghanistan's first World Heritage site. It was also inscribed on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger, due to the precarious state of preservation of the minaret, and to ongoing illegal excavations at the site.

Switzerland’s support
In 2003, the Swiss Government provided UNESCO with an important financial contribution for the safeguarding of the Jam site.

Immediate objectives

The project aims to achieve the following:

Emergency consolidation, conservation and restoration of the Jam Minaret;

Enhancement of the national capacity for the preservation of cultural monuments in Afghanistan;

Contribution to the creation of a national strategy for the preservation of the Afghan cultural heritage;

Income generation, in particular for local workers and craftsmen at Jam.

Achievements

Safeguarding of important historical structures, prevention of irreversible loss: Contribution to the safeguarding of the Jam Minaret, including its unique decorations, by implementing emergency consolidation and restoration activities.
Reinforcing the authority of the central Government in the provinces: The project allows the central Afghan Ministry of Culture and Youth to reinforce its authority in the provinces by implementing the project through its local branches.
Enhancing the national capacity for preservation of cultural heritage: The training provided by international experts contributes to the enhancement of the national capacity for the preservation of the Afghan cultural heritage.
Income generation: By contracting local companies to perform an important part of the preparatory work at the site, the project contributes to generating income at the local level. The project house, established by UNESCO and owned by the Afghan Ministry of Culture and Youth, has become an important centre for the economic life of the local community.

Updated:02-12-2008 12:50 pm