Bonn. In the run-up to tomorrow's donor conference in Paris, Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) is calling for higher, binding and more effective standards for the allocation and implementation of relief projects in Afghanistan. "We need verifiable indicators for the projects of donor nations which are transparent for everybody involved," says Theo Riedke, Head of Central Asia at Welthungerhilfe. This also applies to the military's reconstruction efforts in the civilian sector.
A system with clear indicators that gauge the success of relief efforts and make it possible to rectify negative developments is lacking. Around 40 percent of civilian funds for reconstruction comes from the USA, but Afghan ministries have little say in their allocation and there is no form of control or agreement with other donors. Moreover, reconstruction measures have to be geared towards the needs of the people and no longer concentrated on the provinces that are military troublespots.
Welthungerhilfe is urging the Afghan government to pledge its clear commitment to fighting corruption and reinforcing constitutionality. "Direct financial aid for the Afghan government has to be bound to measurable conditions," stresses Riedke.
Welthungerhilfe criticizes the fact that not enough funds are being channelled into Afghanistan's agriculture and rural development. After decades of war and recurring droughts, many of the country's natural resources have been destroyed. Around 70 percent of Afghans are unable to adequately feed themselves, half are undernourished. The donor conference should therefore prioritise food security and agricultural support alongside a significant increase in funds for civil reconstruction.
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe has been active in Afghanistan without interruption since 1980. A total of approx. 100 projects worth 75 million Euro have been carried out. Efforts concentrate in the North and East. The organisation has focused on rural infrastructure such as drinking water supplies, irrigation systems, food security as well as environment and erosion prevention. It also carries out projects to promote village development and generate alternative sources of income for opium farmers.
For further information visit: www.welthungerhilfe.de
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Police and security forces gather at the site of a suicide bomb blast in Afghanistan's southern city of Lashkar Gah May 28, 2008. Two suicide attacks took place in Afghanistan on ...
