Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Department for International Development
Further information as requested in oral evidence:
1. Q139 [Robert Smith]: What progress has
been made on the Maternity teaching unit built with UK funds in
Lashkar Gar? The US were supposed to fund the actual training
if we built the building but it was empty when we visited. Also
what budget line did UK funding come from DFID or Global Conflict
Prevention Pool (GCPP)?
Maternity Teaching Unit—The PRT provided
funds for the midwives' accommodation. The construction was completed
in July 07, but the accommodation is not currently being used.
The delay in attracting midwives to the facility has been due
to the Afghan Government's stringent training programme for midwives,
which could not be modified. A solution has been found and a midwifery
training programme is about to start using the Ministry of Heath's
primary health implementer, Ibn Sina, with funding provided by
the World Bank. The training is planned to start within the next
few months, at which stage the accommodation will be used.
The funding for the midwives' accommodation
came from GCPP Quick Impact Projects (QIPs).
2. Q153 [Robert Smith]: There was a school
built in Sangin with UK funds (probably QIPs).Questions were raised
about whether this was appropriate. Is this school now functioning?
Does it have teachers?
Sangin school—The PRT has supported two
schools in Sangin. The first is located close to the district
centre and involved classroom refurbishments only. The school
is functioning, although it is not yet fully staffed. It has three
of seven teachers required. There is an active student body. It
is also providing some adult literacy classes outside of normal
school hours.
The second school is a new build outside of
the district centre. So far, only the footings exist and it will
take approximately another six months to complete. It is our hope
that it will achieve the same level of support as the school in
the district centre.
3. Q162 [Richard Burden]: The Government has
agreed to fund two new programmes in support of stronger provincial
and local governance. One is funding for the Independent Directorate
for Local Administration/Governance (IDLG), the other is for the
National Solidarity Programme. We were given the figure for the
former (£1.5 million) but not the latter?
DFID has been supporting the National Solidarity
Programme (NSP) since 2003. In March 2007 the SoS approved a second
phase of support to NSP of £15m over 2007-10 with a £5
million annual disbursement profile. We have brought forward £10
million support to help NSP meet its immediate funding shortfall
this year.
The planning process for DFID's Country Assistance
Plan (2009-11) will help determine whether we should provide additional
funding to NSP. The Government of Afghanistan is in the process
of formulating a policy on the future of community development
councils, which are currently established under the NSP, and we
will give careful consideration to this as part of our funding
decision.
22 January 2008
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