”Our vision for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is to consolidate peace and stability through just, democratic processes and institutions, and to reduce poverty and achieve prosperity through broad based and equitable economic growth” Vision, ANDS (2005)
This is the Vision of the Government of Afghanistan in order to fight extreme poverty, criminal economy, and the unstable security situation in the country. The main focus is to improve security, good governance, rule of law, human rights, economic- and social development. In order to do so there has to be an effective coordination between the Government of Afghanistan and the international donors, multilateral organisations and NGOs.
Norwegian contribution
Norway has contributed both with emergency aid and long term aid for several years to Afghanistan. However, after 2002 there has been an increase in the funds to support projects and programs in Afghanistan.
| Support from Norway (budgets) |
2002
(1381) |
2003
(1382) |
2004
(1383) |
2005
(1384) |
2006
(1385) |
2007
(1386) |
| REG – long term |
|
|
63 mill |
110 mill |
150 mill |
170 mill |
| GAP - short term |
90 mill |
120 mill |
120 mill |
80 mill |
102 mill |
80 mill |
| Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
15 mill |
| Multi |
20 mill |
35 mill |
13 mill |
|
6 mill |
? |
| Humanitarian funds |
220 mill |
120 mill |
95 mill |
95 mill |
95 mill |
150 mill |
| Norad funds |
20 mill |
25 mill |
25 mill |
22 mill |
22 mill |
? |
| Culture |
|
|
|
0,5 mill |
0,5 mill |
1 mill |
| TOTAL |
350 mill |
300 mill |
316 mill |
307,5 mill |
375,5 mill |
416 mill |
Fig. 1 The figures are in Norwegian Kroner (NOK). By the rate of 01.06.07: 1 USD is 6 NOK
2007 is status by 20.07.07 (more funds are expected by the Autumn of 2007)
In the period 2002–2006, Norway’s development assistance to Afghanistan totalled NOK 300-350 million annually. As from 2006 this amount increased substantially and it is also anticipated further increased budgets for 2007.
Norway contributes by funding program and projects implemented by international organisations (UN and the World Bank) and through NGOs.
Norway is also a main contributor to the multi-donor Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF),which is administered by the World Bank. Development assistance channelled through the ARTF goes towards implementing national priority programmes, and towards funding the public sector. The fund is central in building Afghan capacity, and ensures good coordination. Securing broad-based support for the ARTF is important to Norway.
The Norwegian Government strategy aims at a long term approach to development in Afghanistan. Our engagement will be concentrated towards the following areas:
- Good Governance including anti-corruption
- Education
- Rural development
- Gender
- Energy
- Environment
- Peacekeeping, human rights and humanitarian aid.
The support will mainly go through national programs, however funds will also be allocated to selected provinces channelled by NGO-programs. The province of Faryab will receive the majority of these funds, due to the presence of the Norwegian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in this province. The PRT has two pillars: one military and one civilian. The task of the military part is to promote a good security environment in the province and to facilitate development and reconstruction. The Norwegian led PRT does not conduct or fund any development work. The Norwegian model is to channel all funds of development aid through the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul in cooperation with two civilian employees from the Embassy stationed at the PRT in Faryab. This model emphasises the importance of good cooperation between the Embassy and PRT in order to have an overall approach to the progress of security, governance and development of the province.
Norway seeks to ensure that all our development efforts are according to the Afghan authorities’ priorities as set out in the Afghanistan Compact and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
Norwegian Embassy