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Afghanistan Fact Sheet
July 2004
FY2002 Budget - $26,869,476 (TI, IDA, DA, and ESF funds)
FY2003 Budget - $19,544,822 (TI, IDA, DA, and ESF funds)
FY2004 Budget - $21,289,318 (TI, DA, and ESF funds, estimated)
Background
Despite ongoing security concerns, including problems with demobilization of combatants particularly outside of Kabul, the process of rebuilding Afghanistan is well underway. As part of the Tokyo Donors Conference, the U.S. announced an assistance package of $297 million for FY 2002. In late January, Afghan Interim Authority Chair Hamid Karzai visited the U.S. and laid out his government's priorities for reconstruction. In June 2002, a successful Loya Jirga elected Karzai as the leader of a broad-based Transitional Government. The Constitutional Loya Jirga was held in December 2003, with parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2004.
Program Goal and Objectives
USAID/OTI's goal is to support the process of rehabilitation and political stabilization in post-conflict Afghanistan. Working with its implementing partners, the International Organization of Migration (IOM), Ronco, and Internews, OTI’s current program is designed to (a) Increase Afghan government’s capacity to respond to citizens' needs; (b) Increase the capacity of the Afghan media, and (c) Increase citizen awareness of and/or participation in democratic processes. USAID/OTI has funded activities in all 34 provinces of the country. USAID/OTI’s program began in October 2001, and is scheduled to close July 2005, shortly after national parliamentary elections are held. Following are phases of OTI’s program strategy from October 2001 to date:
Support for Humanitarian Information (October 2001 - March 2002)
Responding to rapidly unfolding events in October 2001, OTI supported the development of relevant and timely information on humanitarian assistance for the Afghan population, particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups. Activities included production of a daily humanitarian information bulletin for radio broadcast, distribution of 30,000 radios, small grants to build communication and education among civil society groups, and expansion of the Voice of America's broadcast capacity.
Support for the Emergency Loya Jirga (June 2002)
OTI provided rapid support to the Emergency Loya Jirga through (a) technical and operational support for the UN Operations Center; (b) provision of a short-wave radio transmitter and extended transmissions during the Loya Jirga; (c) production assistance to the Loya Jirga Commission; (d) radio and print journalist training prior to the Loya Jirga; (e) supporting a public information officer for Karzai.
Support for the Afghan Political Transition (January 2002 – June 2005)
OTI is helping to build regional stability and provide space for longer-term development assistance by establishing initial key relationships within the Government and communities of Afghanistan, mainly through programs that will:
- Increase Capacity of the Afghan Government to respond to citizens’ needs: From project identification through completion, initiatives are designed to build linkages between the Afghan government and communities, with communities contributing significantly to the labor required, and local government participating as a full partner in all aspects of the implementation process. OTI provides direct assistance to the Afghan government (e.g. technical and material support to enable Afghan ministries and commissions to function) and community development projects that have been identified as priorities by the Afghan government and local citizens (e.g. water projects, schools, roads, bridges, and others). Working with the Ministry of Telecommunication, OTI has established government provincial communication centers that will serve as coordinating units on a number of issues including reconstruction efforts. In addition, OTI supported capacity building for the Afghan Government through the UNDP Trust Fund, established as part of the Bonn Agreement.
OTI is also working closely with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to construct 14 provincial women’s centers which will be used for training on a range of topics relevant to the needs of Afghan women. In addition, Afghan women’s NGOs are being supported in the implementation of a range of training and income generating opportunities which also helps increase the capacity of the NGOs themselves, most of whom are small and relatively inexperienced.
To date, USAID/OTI has provided 455 grants to increase the capacity of the Afghan government to respond to citizen’s needs.
- Increase the capacity of the Afghan media: Through the development of media infrastructure, OTI provided the Government of Afghanistan with mechanisms to dialogue with its citizens. Activities are designed to build the capacity of local state and independent broadcast media, hands-on training to produce balanced and accurate reporting, technical support and upgrades of equipment, and development of an Afghan media policy and regulatory framework. OTI also supported the development of Afghanistan’s first private FM radio station in Kabul, Arman FM. Arman FM has become Kabul’s most popular radio station, employs both male and female DJs, and has begun funding its own running costs through advertising revenue. To date, USAID/OTI has provided 64 grants and subgrants to increase the capacity of the Afghan media.
- Increase public information about the political process:
OTI has funded 45 small grants that provide civic education and information campaigns about the political process to help the public make more informed decisions in advance of the Loya Jirga in 2002, the Constitutional Loya Jirga in December 2003, and presidential and parliamentary elections planned for October 2004 and early 2005, respectively.
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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