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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Donors accused of failing Afghans | Donors accused of failing Afghans |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Some $10bn (£5bn) in aid promised to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taleban has still to be delivered, a group of 94 aid agencies has said. | Some $10bn (£5bn) in aid promised to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taleban has still to be delivered, a group of 94 aid agencies has said. |
| The Agency Coordinating Body For Afghan Relief (Acbar) says that two-thirds of aid bypasses the Afghan government. | The Agency Coordinating Body For Afghan Relief (Acbar) says that two-thirds of aid bypasses the Afghan government. |
| Forty per cent of aid goes back to donor countries in consultant fees and expatriate pay, the group says. | Forty per cent of aid goes back to donor countries in consultant fees and expatriate pay, the group says. |
| As a result, it warns that the prospects for peace in Afghanistan are being undermined. | As a result, it warns that the prospects for peace in Afghanistan are being undermined. |
| The research for the Acbar report was by one of its member groups, Oxfam. | The research for the Acbar report was by one of its member groups, Oxfam. |
| "Western countries are failing to deliver" is the clear message of the report. | "Western countries are failing to deliver" is the clear message of the report. |
| It shows a disparity between what has been promised and what has been delivered. | It shows a disparity between what has been promised and what has been delivered. |
| And the way in which the money is used is also criticised. | And the way in which the money is used is also criticised. |
| 'Poor security' | 'Poor security' |
| Different countries have different ways of spending. | Different countries have different ways of spending. |
| Some countries channel donations through the government to help their civil service manage and decide on the funding of development programmes but two-thirds of the international aid misses out the government altogether. | Some countries channel donations through the government to help their civil service manage and decide on the funding of development programmes but two-thirds of the international aid misses out the government altogether. |
| America is the biggest donor by far. | America is the biggest donor by far. |
| But a USAid official confirmed that since 2001 it had only spent two-thirds of the money it pledged - a shortfall of $8.5bn - blaming poor security for an inability to get projects under way. | But a USAid official confirmed that since 2001 it had only spent two-thirds of the money it pledged - a shortfall of $8.5bn - blaming poor security for an inability to get projects under way. |
| And the official said only 6% of the overall budget was spent through the Afghan government "to ensure US taxpayers' money could be accounted for" - implying a lack of trust in the government system. | And the official said only 6% of the overall budget was spent through the Afghan government "to ensure US taxpayers' money could be accounted for" - implying a lack of trust in the government system. |
| Disappointment | Disappointment |
| Acbar's director said too much was being spent on short-term projects as a lever to win people over as part of the military counter-insurgency strategy, at the expense of longer-term development. | Acbar's director said too much was being spent on short-term projects as a lever to win people over as part of the military counter-insurgency strategy, at the expense of longer-term development. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYI believe that Afghanistan should stand on its own feet and no longer rely on foreign aid Erfan, HeratSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYI believe that Afghanistan should stand on its own feet and no longer rely on foreign aid Erfan, HeratSend us your comments |
| The report points out that while the US military spends $100m a day, the average amount of aid spent by all donors combined has been just $7m a day since 2001. | The report points out that while the US military spends $100m a day, the average amount of aid spent by all donors combined has been just $7m a day since 2001. |
| The findings echo the feelings of Afghan people who had high expectations when the Taleban were removed from power. | The findings echo the feelings of Afghan people who had high expectations when the Taleban were removed from power. |
| They are now disappointed by a lack of tangible progress despite the billions of dollars they are told have been heading into the country. | They are now disappointed by a lack of tangible progress despite the billions of dollars they are told have been heading into the country. |
DONATIONS BY COUNTRYDonor Aid committed 2002-2008 Aid distributed 2002-2008 US $10,400m $5,022m EC $1,721m $1,074m World Bank $1,604m $853m UK $1,455m $1,266m Germany $1,226m $768m Canada $779m $731m Japan $1,410m $1,393m Italy $424m $424m Netherlands $493m $407m Norway $399m $277m France $109m $80m Spain $63m $26m Source: ACBAR |