Managing large aid projects in fragile states and war zones demands deliberation and attention to detail; the payoff, according to DAI’s Barb Lauer, comes when project teams safely implement programs that over time give the people who live there some hope and stability.

In Afghanistan, where DAI is implementing six projects, DAI focuses on real needs voiced by Afghan people and plans accordingly—and meticulously—for the personnel, information, logistics, and security needed to do the job, Lauer told audiences last week in London, England.

“It obviously can be dangerous to work in Afghanistan and in other unstable countries,” said Lauer, who spoke at the U.K. Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Foreign Office, and the Overseas Development Institute. “By coordinating with the host government, donors, local nationals, others working in the area, and—when needed—security providers, we can do work and deliver results. It’s usually not quick or easy, but we do it and it’s necessary to those people who need assistance.”

Lauer shared lessons learned from DAI’s projects in Afghanistan that boost small businesses and markets, help farmers and others engaged in agriculture, bolster local government and infrastructure, and support national and regional government offices. DAI’s projects in Afghanistan are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Every province in Afghanistan is different as is every district, noted Lauer, DAI's Technical Area Manager for Crisis Mitigation and Recovery. Appearances must be considered, employees safeguarded, and local cultures respected, with effective local communication to describe how DAI is there to help, not hurt. No matter the district, Lauer said, local buy-in is essential to working safely and productively.

“In working in unstable environments we have to balance risks— the security risk, operational risk of success or failure, and compliance risk to make sure we do right by the donor,” Lauer said. “There is also a balance to be struck between displaying a strong, can-do Western work ethic and working in discrete collaboration with local, often wary people in fragile communities.”

The military, Lauer said, can also play an essential role in assessing where assistance is most needed, and evaluating how effective aid programs are.“Over the years we have had effective partnerships with militaries in that way,” Lauer said.

Lauer has worked in numerous conflict-affected countries, including Liberia, Pakistan, Sudan, Croatia, and Indonesia.