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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Country update - Feb 2006

Afghanistan has been and will remain a challenging environment for Ockenden International to serve its beneficiaries. The confluence of myriad forces including the ongoing insurgency by Anti-Government Elements, the ubiquitous drug trade and a still-weak central government continue to hamper efforts at reconstruction and development.

January saw a major donor conference in London, resulting in what is known as the "Afghanistan Compact". Despite the pledges of billions of dollars for Afghanistan over the next 5 years, challenges and obstacles remain massive.

During February Afghanistan endured some of the worst violence in the world related to the controversial cartoons published in select European newspapers. Suicide bombings have become regular, and general security remains a primary concern for both Afghans inside Afghanistan as well as those outside, seeking to repatriate to their homeland.

Ockenden International continues to operate offices in 6 provinces across the country, in support of a variety of programmes including:

- An integrated rural development program in Bala Murghab district of Badghis province in the remote northwestern part of the country. This is a consolidation phase of a previous, 3-year program funded by the EC.

- A shelter-focused relief program in the western province of Farah, providing shelter to 350 vulnerable returnees. This project, funded by ECHO, aims to provide not only shelter for people but also includes a health and hygiene component to teach beneficiaries the benefits of improved hygiene practices.

- A major government-sponsored program known as the National Solidarity Program (NSP) in the southern province of Nimroz. The program is a multi-year effort to mobilise communities on a democratic basis, apply for block grants based on village-level priorities and also aims to increase women's participation.

- A cross-border program in cooperation with Ockenden International's Pakistan office that aims to create the conditions for a sustainable return for Afghan refugees. Ockenden International is building 240 shelters, reconstructing 4 schools, digging 60 wells and has created 50 home-based schools for children unable to access more formal education. There have been several cross-border visits between the Ockenden International staff to better understand the challenges facing Afghans and their difficult decision whether or not to return.

The Afghanistan office is currently set to expand its NSP program to an additional two provinces, commencing 1 March. Furthermore, we anticipate funding for an additional two projects in the western provinces that will focus on the basic needs of returnees.

Ockenden International Afghanistan was successful in "re-registering" as an official NGO with the Afghan government. During the preceding years there had been a proliferation of so-called NGOs, both national and international, some with dubious reputations and quality of work. Ockenden International was able to fully and transparently present itself in order to meet the stringent requirements of the Afghan government and shall remain active for the foreseeable future for the benefit of the Afghan people.