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02/03/2004
UK to double Afghan aid to £500m by 2009
The government has said that it will more than double the funding it sends to Afghanistan over the next five years to at least £500 million.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that improvements over the last two years included increased education assistance and the immunisation of 12 million children for polio and 16 million for measles.
"But there are still challenges ahead," he said. "Our new commitment will help to address those issues."
One of the major challenges is security, particularly in the south and east of the country and drugs continue to be a major issue. The UK is working to support the Afghan police and helping to build a new National Army, Mr Benn said. It is also assisting with the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
The government will also offer assistance to strengthen Afghanistan's public sector in key areas such as health and education.
At the donor conference held in Tokyo in 2002 the international community pledged $4.5 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Many donors who made only one-year pledges at that time have promised further sums and the total has increased to more than $5.2 billion, the Department for International Development said.
(gmcg)
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that improvements over the last two years included increased education assistance and the immunisation of 12 million children for polio and 16 million for measles.
"But there are still challenges ahead," he said. "Our new commitment will help to address those issues."
One of the major challenges is security, particularly in the south and east of the country and drugs continue to be a major issue. The UK is working to support the Afghan police and helping to build a new National Army, Mr Benn said. It is also assisting with the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
The government will also offer assistance to strengthen Afghanistan's public sector in key areas such as health and education.
At the donor conference held in Tokyo in 2002 the international community pledged $4.5 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Many donors who made only one-year pledges at that time have promised further sums and the total has increased to more than $5.2 billion, the Department for International Development said.
(gmcg)
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