Afghanistan

DFID and Afghanistan

The London Afghanistan Conference

The conference took place on 28 January 2010. See the communique, outcomes and speeches and transcripts from the event.

To find out more, visit the UK government's Afghanistan website

DFID in Afghanistan

Afghanistan, along with Pakistan, is the UK’s current foreign policy priority. Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East, China and central and southern Asia, Afghanistan was once the prosperous hub of one of the world’s most important trade routes.

Today, following 30 years of conflict, it is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Half of Afghanistan’s 25 million people live below the international poverty line and 40% do not have enough to eat.

The country’s economy is dependent on illegal opium cultivation, providing around 90% of the world’s heroin. There is also insecurity across most of the country and a widespread fear of corruption.

DFID is committed to helping the Afghan government to become an effective and accountable state, increasingly able to handle its security and deliver basic services to its people.

We are providing £510 million over the next four years to support four priorities of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy:

Make government more effective.
Create jobs and encourage economic growth.
Promote stability and development in Helmand.
Provide alternatives to poppy growing.

The best way to achieve these goals is by supporting the Afghans to help themselves.

This is why DFID has committed to chanelling at least 50% of its funding though Afghan government systems.

Additional money has been spent on helping the Afghan government to deliver the second democratic election in Afghanistan in 40 years.

The efforts of the Afghan government, supported by the international donor community in close cooperation with the military, have led to tangible progress.

Among successes, DFID has contributed to the provision of basic healthcare to 82% of the Afghan population, meaning the number of children living beyond their first birthday has risen by more than 40,000.

Key facts

(Above) Pie chart showing UK bilateral aid spending in Afghanistan (2008/09)

Total UK bilateral aid received (08/09):	£147.5 million
Aid by sector:
Governance:	65%
Growth:	22%
Humanitarian assistance:	10%
Other social services:	3%

Find out more in Key facts: Afghanistan

Major Challenges

DFID is:

Working with the Afghan government, UK government departments, NGOs and the United Nations to ensure key services are delivered to the Afghan people.
Encouraging economic growth by creating jobs for men and women, and investing in agriculture and basic infrastructure, such as roads and electricity.
Promoting stability by improving security and governance in partnership with partners in Afghanistan.
Working with the Afghan government and through the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to develop infrastructure and improve security and opportunities in Helmand Province.

Find out more in Major Challenges: Afghanistan

DFID in Helmand

Working in close cooperation with the military, without whom we would not be able to operate, DFID is undertaking much-needed reconstruction and development work to provide the infrastructure, opportunities and security needed by the Afghans for a safe and productive life.

Find out more in DFID in Helmand: Afghanistan