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News Releases
No. 103/06
November 30, 2006
EUROPEAN COMMISSION COMPLETES €1 BILLION PLEDGE TO AFGHANISTAN
Today, the European Commission completes the over €1
billion pledge to support the reconstruction and
development process in
Afghanistan.
“In 2002
 the
European Commission promised to be a steadfast partner
for Afghanistan," said European Commissioner for
External Relations
Benita Ferrero-Waldner. "Today we
have kept our promise in full, and ahead of schedule. As
one of the largest development donors to the Afghan
reconstruction efforts, we have provided a swift
response to the new government’s most immediate budget
needs, supporting the public administration and security
sector reform.”
The two final commitments made today cover provincial
governance support, to improve service delivery to the
local population (€10.6 million) and support for the
Afghanistan Variety and Seed Industry Development
Project (€10 million). Around 80% of the money
committed is already disbursed, making Afghanistan a
perfect example of efficient and rapid action by the
European Commission.
"We have made an important contribution to tackling the
spiraling problem of illegal drugs production by
supporting rural development and alternative
livelihoods, and contributing to the salaries of
thousands of law enforcement officers," said
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. "In the health field, we
have rehabilitated over a hundred clinics and hospitals.
Taken together with our work on infrastructure,
employment generation and institution building, these
achievements show that the European Commission is making
a real difference in Afghanistan.”
Some of the most important achievements of European
Union support over the past five years include:
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European Commission support to public administration and
security sector reform of around €265 million covered salaries of 266,000
civil servants and 66,000 police personnel. This makes the European Commission
the third largest contributor to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF)
and the largest contributor to the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan,
thereby supporting the police reform. Funding also supported a public
administration program building up local capacity for Afghanistan’s public
service, health and customs management.
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European Commission support of around €170 million to rural
development and livelihoods has particularly targeted provinces in the East
and in the North East of the country. Projects covered livestock and animal
health, rural rehabilitation, water and sanitation and cash-for-work. The
European Union is also financing a comprehensive nationwide seed program.
Rural communities, notably those with a high number of returnees, already have better access to basic services and benefit from rural economic recovery.
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In the health sector, with around €50 million, the European
Commission is one of three main donors for health delivery and policy. Funding
was primarily directed to the Basic Package of Health Services covering an
estimated four million Afghans in ten provinces. Programs were managed by
seven international and three local NGOs through 202 health facilities and 1,089
health posts. One hundred ten health facilities were rehabilitated through European
Commission funding.
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The European Commission has supported infrastructure projects
with over €80 million for reconstruction of the Kabul-Jalabad road and
secondary roads connected to this highway. This project aims at reinforcing
the main regional transport corridor to Pakistan. European Commission funding
has also supported rehabilitation of the electricity distribution network.
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European Commission support also targeted repatriation of
refugees and returnees with €38 million and de-mining activities with €47.2
million. Specific measures of some €41 million in counter-narcotics include
contributions to the Counter Narcotics Trust Fund, making the European
Commission the second largest contributor.
For more information on the EU's relations with
Afghanistan, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/afghanistan/intro/index.htm
For more information on the humanitarian aid provided by
the European Commission to Afghanistan, please visit :
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/field/afghanistan/index_en.htm
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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