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04/03/2009
Britain Increases Commitment To Afghanistan Aid To £510m
The UK is to commit an additional £50 million to fight poverty in Afghanistan over the next four years, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has announced.
The pledge brings the total to £510m, which will go towards creating jobs, fighting the drugs trade and helping develop the Afghan government.
The additional £50m will finance two crucial strands of development work.
A further £32m has been announced for large-scale infrastructure projects in Helmand where British troops are fighting the Taleban. Projects include a major road linking the towns of Lashkar Gah and Gereshk.
Also, another £18m for agriculture and rural enterprise development to provide more jobs and economic opportunities for young men and women in rural areas of Afghanistan was announced.
Mr Alexander, on a visit to the country, said: "This four year promise to contribute £510 million to Afghanistan reaffirms our long term commitment to helping this proud country recover from 30 years of war.
"I was pleased to be able to tell President Karzai today that we are adding to our pledge by giving £50 million over four years for counter narcotic measures and big infrastructure projects."
The International Development Secretary concluded: "There is no doubt that the lives of ordinary Afghans have improved immeasurably since the Taleban were overthrown in 2001. And they face a crucial year with a vote to elect a new president.
"We wish the people of Afghanistan well for the future and are happy to play our part in their development."
(JM/BMcC)
The pledge brings the total to £510m, which will go towards creating jobs, fighting the drugs trade and helping develop the Afghan government.
The additional £50m will finance two crucial strands of development work.
A further £32m has been announced for large-scale infrastructure projects in Helmand where British troops are fighting the Taleban. Projects include a major road linking the towns of Lashkar Gah and Gereshk.
Also, another £18m for agriculture and rural enterprise development to provide more jobs and economic opportunities for young men and women in rural areas of Afghanistan was announced.
Mr Alexander, on a visit to the country, said: "This four year promise to contribute £510 million to Afghanistan reaffirms our long term commitment to helping this proud country recover from 30 years of war.
"I was pleased to be able to tell President Karzai today that we are adding to our pledge by giving £50 million over four years for counter narcotic measures and big infrastructure projects."
The International Development Secretary concluded: "There is no doubt that the lives of ordinary Afghans have improved immeasurably since the Taleban were overthrown in 2001. And they face a crucial year with a vote to elect a new president.
"We wish the people of Afghanistan well for the future and are happy to play our part in their development."
(JM/BMcC)
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