Afghanistan Fact Sheet - FY03 and FY04 Budget March 2004
FY 2003 Budget - $19,555,622 ($11,932,987 TI; $7,621,835 ESF, DA, IDA)
FY 2004 Budget - $23,000,000 ($8,000,000 TI; $15,000,000 ESF, DA) planned
Background
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) began its Afghanistan program in October 2001, following the U.S. removal of Taleban forces from power. Working with central and provincial governments, national and international NGOs, informal community groups, and media outlets, OTI identifies and supports critical initiatives that facilitate implementation of the Bonn Agreement, which was designed to move the country further along the continuum from war to peace. OTI’s rapid support for activities in Afghanistan’s transition period also helps to establish credibility and space for longer-term development assistance.
USAID/OTI’s program in Afghanistan is from October 2001 – June 2005. To date, OTI has obligated $55 million for the program. OTI’s fiscal year 2002 budget was $27 million, the fiscal year 2003 budget was $19.5 million, and the current estimate for the fiscal year 2004 budget is $23 million. Projects are funded in 31 provinces of the country. To date over 500 grants and sub grants have been cleared for implementation.
Program Goal and Objectives
GOAL: To increase citizen awareness and confidence in the process of recovery, rehabilitation and democratic political development in post-conflict Afghanistan.
OBJECTIVES: OTI’s program in Afghanistan currently has three objectives, to: (1) Increase the Afghan government’s capacity to respond to citizen priorities; (2) Increase the capacity of the Afghan media; and (3) Increase citizen awareness of and participation in democratic processes.
Program Activities
Projects are designed to: reestablish relationships and routines that give communities cohesiveness; strengthen economic recovery by improving essential commercial and public infrastructure; contribute to sustainable stability and recovery by helping the Afghan government to function outside Kabul and respond to community priorities; improve communications infrastructure, strengthen independent media; and create and/or strengthen linkages among the national, provincial, and district governments. Local NGOs, community groups, and other USAID implementing partners are also engaged to facilitate linkages. Many projects also provide short term employment opportunities.
Activities to date have included: providing essential goods and services that individuals and the market cannot provide on their own; improving essential commercial and public infrastructure such as reconstructing schools, public buildings, roads and bridges; repairing water systems; building women’s centers and funding women’s education and income generating programs, strengthening independent media to provide access to fair and balanced information, and providing information about the Bonn Process.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington: Elizabeth Callender, USAID/OTI/ANE Program Manager, Tel: 202-712-4078, ecallender@usaid.gov
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