§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the budget is for expenditure to rebuild the infrastructure in Afghanistan; and what the corresponding figure was in 2002. [117509]
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§ Hilary BennThe Afghan Transitional Authority has produced a National Development Budget providing a comprehensive plan for reconstruction across the country. The Physical Infrastructure budget for 2003 (Afghan year 1382) is US$622.9 million.
This is the first year that a comprehensive central budget has been produced, making a comparison with 2002 difficult. However a figure of US$128 million for 2002 has been calculated as an estimate.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what his Department's total budget for Afghanistan has been in each of the last three financial years; what the projected budget is for the year ahead; and how funds have been allocated. [118587]
§ Hilary BennDFID's bilateral support to Afghanistan for refugees, humanitarian and reconstruction support over the last three financial years has been as follows:
Financial Year £ million 2000–01 10 2001–02 46 2002–03 75 At the Ministerial Conference in Tokyo (January 2002) DFID pledged £200 million over five years for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in 767W Afghanistan. For this financial year (2003–04) DFID has a projected programme of £40 million; this may rise to £50 million depending on the success of the Afghan Government's reform of the Public Administration. DFID's priority areas for support include livelihoods and reform of public administration, the economy and the security sector. These sectors have been identified through liaison with the Afghan Government to avoid overlap with other donors and ensure that DFID works in the areas we feel we can provide added value.
In addition to bilateral contributions DFID provides an estimated £40 million a year to Afghanistan through our multilateral contributions.
§ Mr. AinsworthTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what role his Department is playing in the reduction of opium poppy output in Afghanistan. [118590]
§ Hilary BennDFID is working with other Whitehall Departments, the Afghan Transitional Authority and the international community to develop and implement a strategy for the sustainable elimination of opium production in Afghanistan.
DFID's main contribution is in supporting alternative livelihoods. The objective is to create opportunities for those currently involved in poppy cultivation to obtain sustainable livelihoods, based on legal activities either in agriculture, small business or employment. DFID's contribution includes £1 million over 2 years to the Aga Khan Foundation in Badahkshan, where they are working to help farmers identify on-farm alternatives to opium before they become drawn in to poppy cultivation. We will also be providing £3.75 million over 4 years to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation for the development of sustainable agricultural livelihoods in eastern Hazarajat.
We are also providing £2.2 million in technical assistance and training to the Ministry of Rural Reconstruction and Development and other Ministries involved in rural livelihoods to strengthen their capacity to plan, co-ordinate and supervise the development of sustainable livelihoods for all Afghans, including those involved in poppy cultivation.