Annex A
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF COMPLETED, CURRENT
AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN HELMAND NEIGHBOURING PROVINCES
1. The Committee requested a comprehensive
list of the completed and planned development projects in Helmand
and its neighbouring provinces for its inquiry into the UK deployment
to Afghanistan.
QUICK IMPACT
DEVELOPMENT
2. For all nations operating in Afghanistan
development activity falls into two categories: local community
based rapid effect programmes; and, longer term national development
programmes. Local community based rapid effect programmes are
carried out under the Quick Impact Project (QIPs) programme. UK
QIPs draw upon funding contributed by the FCO, DFID, the MoD and
the interdepartmental British Embassy Drugs Team. Projects in
Helmand are proposed by UK government officials and military commanders
and are scrutinised and approved by senior representatives of
the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (the PRT). To date
103 projects at a value of $12.3 million have been authorised
for development (19 security projects, 10 governance projects,
60 social and economic development projects and 14 for counter
narcotics). Projects are carried out through a combination of
on the ground military engineering and contracting through of
local contractors and NGOs. Details of projects currently on record
at the UK Task Force under the UK QIPs programme for development
activity are attached (Enclosure A).
3. In addition to UK funded quick impact
projects to deliver rapid development effect, the US Government
and Government of Demark also fund some development activity in
Helmand.
4. Further to the activities of these countries
within Helmand, Canada, the Netherlands and the US are also active
in local community based projects in neighbouring provinces in
the southern region.
LONGER TERM
DEVELOPMENT
5. DfID has allocated around $60 million
over three years (2006-07 to 2008-09) for the Helmand Agriculture
and Rural Development Programme. The programme includes the following
activities:
Rural Development
Rural development activities are implemented
through the Ministry for Rural Rehabilitation and Development
to accelerate the roll-out of key National Programmes in Helmand.
Where the Ministry's capacity is limited Helmandi contractors
are deployed to deliver services. This programme includes activity
in the following areas:
(1) The National Rural Access Programme
is expected to receive around $17 million over three years
to deliver improved infrastructure, including roads, bridges,
drainage and protective walls.
Construction of four roads in Bost is now under
way with the following progress: Bolan Road (12 km)—10%
complete; Qali-i-Bost (14 kms)—20% complete; Lashkari Bazar
(8 kms)—25% complete; Sarkar (17 kms)—25% complete.
Three additional roads at Musa Qala have been surveyed and designed.
However, construction has been delayed because of security concerns.
(2) The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
Programme is expected to receive around $4 million over three
years for the construction of water points, pipe schemes and latrine
blocks.
The original 150 contracted wells are now 80%
complete. The second batch of 150 wells has been contracted, and
authorisation to start work will be issued this week. Further
to this, an additional 720 wells have been surveyed and designed
and are ready for tendering to those already completed.
(3) The Microfinance Investment and Support
Facility Afghanistan is expected to receive around $11 million
over three years to provide loans for income generating activities,
such as small shops, small scale manufacturing, handicrafts and
agriculture.
A Bangladeshi NGO, BRAC, will be the first microfinance
institution to expand its operations to Helmand under the Microfinance
Investment and Support Facility Afghanistan.
(4) The National Solidarity Programme
is expected to receive £10.6 million over three years
to establish Community Development Councils and provide grants
for projects that will bring benefits to these communities. National
Solidarity Programme is implemented by a wide range of "Facilitating
Partners" on behalf of the Government.
To date, using core funding from a number of
donors including DfID, National Solidarity Programme has engaged
with 556 communities in Helmand, although work with 185 of these
has been suspended due to the security situation. A total of 515
community-level projects have been approved, of which 185 are
completed. The programme is now entering a second phase (funded
by Helmand Agriculture and Rural Development Programme), which
will see expansion to more districts in Helmand. Expressions of
interest for Facilitating Partners were called for the districts
of Kajaki, Bagran, Washer, Nad Ali, Dishu, Sangin and Reg, and
have now been received. Short listed candidates have been submitted
to the World Bank.
Agriculture
DfID are working with the Ministry for Agriculture
to develop agriculture programmes for Helmand. Two Non-Governmental
Organisations (one international and one local) have already approached
with proposals for projects. These projects are expected to:
— Assist with the production and marketing
of local fruit and nut, animal and vegetable products.
— Build the capacity of local government
officials to provide the policies and services required by Helmand
farmers and businesses.
— Support agricultural and business
education for young people in Helmand.
— Build local research capacity, and
identify cost effective and innovative solutions to challenges
in the agricultural sector.
The implementation of these projects is expected
to start in the summer 07, in line with the Helmand Agriculture
and Rural Development Programme plan.
6. Similarly to the activities undertaken
to fund local community rapid effect based projects Canada, the
Netherlands and the US are also active in pursuing longer term
development activities. The principle international donor in the
southern region is USAID.
7. The largest long term development project
being undertaken in Afghanistan is the USAID funded Kajaki Dam
Project in Helmand. At a $150 million+ cost, the project aims
to deliver increased hydro-electric power to the southern region.
The project involves reconstruction of the power transmission
infrastructure throughout northern Helmand and Kandahar as well
as redevelopment of the hydroelectric plant at Kajaki and will
take a number of years. ISAF forces are assisting the project
through close liaison with the project planners and contractors
and by creating the conditions for the long term success of the
project.
CIVILIAN AID AGENCIES CURRENTLY WORKING IN
HELMAND AND ITS NEIGHBOURING PROVINCES
AFGHAN NGOS
— HAPA—UN main implementing partner
in Helmand (eg distribution for World Food Programme).
— AURC—Ariana Unity Reconstruction
Committee (quasi-NGO running construction and municipal development
projects for donors).
— HAFO—Helping Afghan Farmers
Organisation—agricultural development.
— AWDA—Afghan Women's Development
Association—women's rights/gender issues.
— PEACE—(acronym not known)—Alternative
Livelihoods.
— WADAN—Welfare Association for
Development of Afghanistan—drugs rehabilitation/CN.
INTERNATIONAL NGOS
— IWPR—Institute of War and Peace
Reporting—UK—development of an independent media sector
(implementing partner for FCO project in Helmand).
— ICARDA—International Centre
for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas—Syria—agricultural
development (implementing partner for one DfID project in Helmand).
— Mercy Corps—US—agricultural
development.
— BRAC—Bangladesh—lead
agency for the Afghan MRRD National Solidarity Programme in Helmand.
— Ibn Sina—Islamic charity (nationality
not known)—main primary health provider across province.
— Emergency Hospital—Italian—treatment
of the civilian victims of conflict.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
The main UN agencies do not have an office here,
but their programmes are still running, often through a local
implementing partner, eg HAPA. UNAMA have stated their intention
to open an office in Helmand by June.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
BUSINESSES
— Chemonics—contractor for USAID
Alternative Livelihoods Programme/South (ALP/S).
— CADG—Central Asian Development
Group—contractor (primarily building and construction) for
NGOs and development agencies.
|
