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Afghanistan

Volume 406: debated on Tuesday 3 June 2003

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To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan and its effect on humanitarian and reconstruction work. [115403]

The security situation continues to cause concern, and is hampering the operations of NGOs and UN agencies in the south and eastern provinces of Afghanistan. Reconstruction projects are continuing, however, although a lack of security may affect efforts to refurbish roads in some parts of the south and east.The deployment of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) is designed to facilitate improved security in the regions and extend the authority of the Afghan Transitional Administration. The US have already deployed three PRTs to Gardez, Bamiyan and Kunduz provinces. The UK has recently announced its intention to lead a PRT in Mazaar-l-Shariff in the north of Afghanistan.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which non-governmental organisations have recently left Afghanistan citing security as their reason for evacuation. [115620]

I am not aware of any nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) which have left Afghanistan due to the deteriorating security situation in parts of the south. In southern Afghanistan, particularly following the killing of an international ICRC worker in March 2003, some NGOs temporarily suspended their operations in the more remote areas and withdrew, either back to the regional centre at Kandahar, or to the capital, Kabul. Most of these, such as Mercy Corps International (MCI), Oxfam, Tear Fund, Action Contre La Faim (ACF) and Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), do, however, continue to operate. The major change as result of insecurity has been in their mode of operation, forcing them to concentrate on more secure areas around Kandahar.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which British non governmental organisations are working on reconstruction in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [115927]

The following non-governmental organisations are registered in the United Kingdom and working on Afghanistan reconstruction:

  • CARE;
  • CAFOD—through CARITAS member agencies with offices in Afghanistan supporting local NGOs;
  • Actionaid;
  • Afghanaid;
  • Islamic Relief;
  • Joint Development Associates Ltd;
  • Tearfund;
  • Focus;
  • Hope Worldwide;
  • Ockenden;
  • Mercy Corps;
  • Muslim Hands;
  • Oxfam;
  • Aga Khan Foundation; and
  • Christian Aid.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how much money promised by the Government to help rebuild Afghanistan has yet to be donated; and if he will make a statement. [116132]

Agency workers
Financial yearAgency staff numbers in DFID LondonAgency staff spend in DFID London £Agency staff numbers in DFID East KilbrideAgency staff spend in East Kilbride £Total of agency staff for both locationsTotal spend on agency staff for both locations £
2001–02210752,780636,957216789,737
2002–03131827,16649277,6421801,104,808