Aid to Afghanistan
Australia has a bilateral aid programme to Afghanistan, aiming at providing $150 million in the five years from 2006. A number of non-government Australian agencies provide aid to Afghanistan.
Government sources
Australia Pledges $250 Million in Further Assistance for Afghanistan, Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Media Release,12 June 2008
"I am pleased to announce that Australia will pledge $250 million to assist Afghanistan provide better health and education services, secure food supplies in the face of rising world prices, support its police force and expand mine action programs."
Afghanistan: Approach to Humanitarian and Development Assistance 2007-2010, AusAid 2007
Brief official account of Australia's humantiarian and development approach in Afghanistan.
Country Program: Afghanistan, AusAid
Detailed official account of Australian current aid to Afghanistan.
Aid activities in Afghanistan, AusAid
Brief list of AusAid supported Australian NGO aid activities in Afghanistan.
Australia was a participating country in the London Conference on Afghanistan in February 2006 which adopted the Afghanistan Compact between the Government of Afghanistan, the United Nations and the international community to produce a framework for co-operation for the next five years.
Analysis
Annual Report 2007, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission
"AIHRC wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the financial support provided by ...Australia..." [US$780,800 for 2007].
Australia reiterates assistance for Afghanistan, Pakistan Tribune, 19 February 2007.
"Australian ambassador to Afghanistan Brett Hackett has said Afghans are laborious and his countrymen have great respect for them. Hackett took charge of his office some two months back as the first ambassador from Australia to the war-battered country. Hackett recalled Australia $110 million aid for Afghanistan in Berlin conference. He said Australia had also announced $150 million aid for Afghanistan in London conference for the next five years. He said: 'Australia wants to help in restoring peace to Afghanistan and also help in reconstruction process.'
"Regarding cricket, Hackett said: 'I am wondered how great number of Afghans don`t understand cricket.' Hackett said his country had cricket academy where Afghans might get good training. He said cricket should be paid due attention in Afghanistan."
Non-government Australian aid activities
Australian NGOs supporting projects & operations in Afghanistan, Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)
Listing of NGOs, their main Afghanistan projects and area of focus. Those listed include:
- Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific
- Australian Red Cross
- Burnet Institute
- CARE Australia
- Christian Blind Mission International (Australia)
- Muslim Aid Australia
- Oxfam Australia
- TEAR Australia
- World Vision Australia
NGOs in Afghanistan - General
NGO Insecurity in Afghanistan, Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, (ANSO) and CARE, May 2005.
See also
- Reconstruction Task Force, Australia in Afghanistan