§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of reconstruction in Afghanistan. [186441]
(2) what recent representations he has received regarding the progress of reconstruction in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [186442]
Mr. Gareth ThomasThe Secretary of State and I continue to regularly receive representations on Afghanistan, from members of Parliament, the public and non-governmental organisations. They have reflected the priorities that people attach to the reconstruction process.
Considerable progress has been made since the fall of the Taliban in November 2001. Over 3 million refugees have been helped to return to Afghanistan. 4.5 million children are in school this year and over 30 per cent. are girls. A vaccination campaign has led to the near eradication of polio and the immunisation of 9 million children against measles saving over 35,000 lives. Progress has also been made in economic recovery with the International Monetary Fund estimating economy growing by 30 per cent. last year.
At the international conference in Berlin, donors pledged $8.2 billion over three years to help rebuild Afghanistan. Finance Minister Ghani said donors met Afghanistan's target for this year, pledging $4.5 billion, and covered more than two thirds of its expectations over the next three years. On October 9, the first-ever direct presidential elections in the post-Taliban country will be held. Voter registration has now closed with over 10.5 million Afghans registered (42 per cent. are women). This is hugely encouraging result, which we hope will lead to the successful conclusion of the Bonn Process.