The provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah has not been contacted by either the provincial health director or any other local medical providers alerting them to a recent diarrhoea outbreak in Helmand. Civil and military (CIMIC) teams who are actively engaged in health programmes in Lashkar Gah are also not aware of any outbreak. If more specific information can be provided, the PRT will make further inquiries.
The most effective way to deliver any aid to Afghanistan is to provide funding directly to the Afghan government. This ensures that the money is spent on what Afghans need and provides the best chance for building effective state institutions that will last. DFID provides around 80 per cent. of its aid in this way. Although we do not provide assistance specifically to the health sector, we are the largest donor to the Government's recurrent budget which, for example pays salaries of health workers.
In July 2006, DFID announced a £30 million programme of support to the Helmand Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (HARDP). This programme increases economic opportunities for the rural poor of Helmand through a series of programmes operated by the government of Afghanistan. These programmes will provide essential assistance to the people of Helmand, including better water and sanitation.
The provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah has not been contacted by either the provincial health director or any other local medical providers alerting them to a recent diarrhoea outbreak in Helmand. Civil and military (CIMIC) teams who are actively engaged in health programmes in Lashkar Gah are also not aware of any outbreak. If more specific information can be provided, the PRT will make further inquiries.
DFID continues to help people have improved access to clean water and sanitation. In July 2006, DFID announced a £30 million programme of support to the Helmand Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (HARDP). This programme increases economic opportunities for the rural poor of Helmand through a series of programmes operated by the government of Afghanistan. These programmes will provide essential assistance to the people of Helmand, including better water and sanitation.