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AFG2 12
Further memorandum from the Ministry of Defence
ANSWERS TO FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS FROM EVIDENCE SESSION ON 20 MARCH 2007
Q. A comprehensive list of the completed, current, and planned development projects in Helmand and its neighbouring provinces. The list should comprise projects sponsored by the UK and other countries and include detail of the nature, location and the cost of each project (Q 62 and Q 63)
A. Attached at Annex A.
Q. An update on the deployment of Mastiff and Vector vehicles to Afghanistan. (Q 84)
A. The first Mastiff and Vector vehicles have already been delivered to Afghanistan. We do not specify exact numbers for reasons of operational security. We will continue to deliver Mastiff and Vector vehicles to Afghanistan over the coming months; we are working as quickly as possible alongside industry to integrate additional protection, electronic counter measures equipment, communications equipment and self defence weapons to these vehicles.
Q. To what extent did ISAF IX (the ARRC), led by General Richards, achieve its objectives?
A. Under the command of the ARRC, ISAF unified the military mission in Afghanistan, broadening its operations to encompass the whole of the country thereby extending the authority of the Government of Afghanistan into areas which had previously had little contact with the GoA. Large scale operations such as Op MEDUSA delivered a series of defeats to the Taliban and demonstrated that in the face of ISAF action, the Taliban are unable to succeed. Substantial progress on reconstruction and development was also made particularly in the more stable areas of the country. Clearly there is still much to do but ISAF IX achieved a great deal.
Q. What lessons have been learned from ISAF IX?
A. While the central tenets of our original plan remain sound, we have had to modify some of our assumptions in the context of a better understanding of an unfamiliar operating environment and the culture and customs of the population who reside there. The ferocity of the Taliban's resistance and their willingness to confront ISAF forces despite massive losses was not expected. This constrained reconstruction and development initially. Furthermore we encountered some initial teething problems in PRT operations. We have also had to come to terms with the pace of Afghan life and politics, which can at times be glacial. Nevertheless, the issues that we identified in the Helmand Review have been addressed and we are confident that we will continue to build on the substantial progress that is being made in the province. Afghanistan is undoubtedly in a more advanced state than when we first went South last year.
Q. What contribution is the UK making to ISAF X Headquarters?
A. The UK is filling 136 posts (of 1108) in the ISAF HQ including the 2 Star Deputy Commander Stability.
Q. How has continuity between the ISAF IX and ISAF X missions been achieved?
A. The mission remains the same. General McNeil shares General Richards' comprehensive approach to development in Afghanistan and is continuing the work of Op OQAB (EAGLE) but he will rightly wish to apply his own interpretation to the challenges posed. Furthermore, all key personnel in the ISAF X headquarters have undergone training exercises related to their deployment at the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger where they will have become fully acquainted with the issues arising in ISAF IX.
Q. Which civilian aid agencies are currently working in Helmand and its neighbouring provinces?
A. Attached at Annex A
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 $12.3M 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 $60M over three years (2006/07-2008/09) 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 $17M 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 (8kms) - 25% complete; Sarkar (17kms) - 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 $4M 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 $11M 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 £10.6m 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 $150m+ 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 (e.g. 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
· Afghan Red Crescent · UNHABITAT · WFP · UNICEF · WHO
The main UN agencies do not have an office here, but their programmes are still running, often through a local implementing partner, e.g. 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.
ENCLOSURE A
QUICK IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN HELMAND
The UK QIP impact project fund also incorporates funding for consent winning and outreach activity. The list below only included those projects which are considered development.
In addition to UK projects there are also projects being undertaken by the US and Denmark. Projects range across many sectors including education, irrigation, telecommunications, urgent humanitarian and reconstruction projects, and rule of law and governance projects.
3 May 2007 |