Provincial Reconstruction Teams

Overview

Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) are joint civil-military units deployed throughout most of Afghanistan. An interim mechanism, their goal is to strengthen the reach and enhance the legitimacy of the central government in outlying regions through improved security and the facilitation of reconstruction and development efforts. PRTs are one element in a broader civil-military strategy, which includes continued Coalition combat operations, expansion of NATO/ISAF, progress on the UN-led Bonn process, an accelerated US Government assistance program, training and deployment of Afghan national army and police units, and diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s neighbors.

PRTs focus on a range of activities relevant to their environment, including:

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with key government, tribal, military, religious, NGO and UN leaders in the provinces. Monitor and report on critical political, military and reconstruction developments.
• Provide security support for Bonn process activities such as the Constitutional Loya Jirga, voter registration and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militia forces. In addition, share current security information with local officials and the assistance community.
• Assist in the deployment and mentoring of Afghan national army and police units located in the provinces. Observe, assess and report on their capabilities.
• Counsel adversaries, referee disputes, and broker agreements between factions.
• Conduct needs assessments and help prioritize reconstruction and development efforts.
• Implement assistance projects, with a focus on geographic areas that civilian agencies cannot reach.
• Provide temporary logistical and security support to allow assistance personnel to travel to areas considered unsafe or inaccessible.

Field Program Officers (FPO)

With a few exceptions, USAID has deployed or will deploy an FPO to each of the 20 current PRTs. His/her responsibilities are twofold. The first is to act as USAID’s primary representative in the PRT’s area of responsibility – usually one or two provinces. This includes building relations with local officials and community leaders, reporting to the Mission on needs and significant developments, and working with technical staff (CTOs) to help monitor and manage all USAID activities in the area.

The second role of an FPO is to support the PRT itself, primarily through the provision of leadership and advice to military personnel on reconstruction and development. This includes the management of various US Government funds programmed directly by the PRT. In addition, USAID FPOs are frequently involved in security, political and other matters, working in concert with Department of Defense, US Department of Agriculture, and US Department of State. This interagency approach has been one of the most successful aspects of the PRTs.

At the headquarters level, USAID has placed a DA on the staff of the Commanding General (two-star) of CJTF-76, the operational command based in Bagram. At the strategic level (three-star), USAID’s entire management team for the PRTs is co-located with Combined Forces Command in Kabul. This has permitted a high degree of integration between USAID and the military.

QIP is the USAID funding mechanism that allows FPOs to undertake specific development projects in their provinces. FPOs select appropriate projects and activities in consultation with the military at the PRTs and with local leadership. The primary purposes of QIP projects are to extend the reach and influence of government throughout the provinces and to create a climate of improved freedom and economic activity. Projects implemented through QIP include tertiary roads, bridges, water supply, irrigation, government administrative buildings, schools, clinics, micro-power generation and gender training courses. Starting in FY03, QIP has received total funding of $137.3 million, including $75 million from the FY05 supplemental budget. As of June 2005, 116 projects have been completed, 106 are under construction, and 126 are under planning and design. It is expected that over 600 projects will be completed by the end of FY06.

International Organization for Migration
http://www.iom.int

United Nations Office for Project Services
http://www.unops.org

• Briefer: Provincial Reconstruction Teams (pdf - 152k)