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Countries and Regions Country Partnership Strategies Document
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Afghanistan: Initial Country Strategy and Program 2002-2004 : IV. ADB's Strategy
A. Summary of Key Development Challenges33. Afghanistan faces by some critical challenges in the medium term. Addressing these challenges defines and underpins ADB's approach to assisting the country's rehabilitation and reconstruction. ADB recognizes that, to be an effective partner in Afghanistan's future development, its plan of operations should: (i) be jointly developed with, and supportive of the Government's National Development Framework, (ii) address immediate and urgent needs for recovery and reconstruction, and (iii) initiate a longer-term rehabilitation phase which will address the need for investments and policy reforms in key sectors; these needs have developed due to a prolonged absence of development aid institutions, including ADB, in Afghanistan. 1. Short-Term Needs34. The recovery and reconstruction needs of Afghanistan are enormous. It is crucial to promote security; build trust among the rival factions and people; and create a social consensus on sound governance and the rule of law, human rights, dignity, and the value of life. Work is under way with assistance from the international community to train a national army, police force, intelligence service, and border and customs service. The first battalion of Afghan National Guard has already completed its training. These are security measures that need to be complemented by political and social measures to develop mutual trust and tolerance. 35. The country must be made free of landmines. Afghanistan is arguably the most mine- and UXO-affected country in the world. So far mine clearance under the Mine Action Program for Afghanistan has been very efficient and cost effective, covering 220 km2 mostly done by a local workforce of 4,800. Another 730 km2 has to be cleared containing 340 km2 of agricultural and grazing land, roads, residential areas, and irrigation systems and canals. Other important challenges need to be taken into account, as follows. 36. Generating Employment. Jobs are needed for the millions of unemployed including refugees, 800,000 of who are likely to return in the coming months (and there could be a larger influx if Loya Jirga goes well). Generating productive, labor intensive employment through the revival of both agriculture and non-agricultural activities and through infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction is an urgent priority. An appropriate policy and institutional framework needs to be put in place as rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development efforts get under way so that the vast majority of the population, who live below the poverty line, can participate in and benefit fully from a broad based economic growth process. Such a process will revive economic growth and address poverty quickly. 37. Stabilization of Social and Individual Personalities. Afghanistan as a society and Afghans as individual, men, women, and children are in state of shock, suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and in many cases outright mental illness arising from war experiences and personal tragedies. 38. Reintegration of War Combatants, the Disabled, Refugees and IDPs. This poses a challenge with regard to social adjustment, housing, health and other services, employment and attitudinal change. Afghanistan will soon receive five million refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some have already started moving back. In addition the one million IDPs have to be rehabilitated, preferably in their places of origin. The challenge for the country is that, as the rural refugees became urbanized, probably most will have to be absorbed in urban areas, which has important implication for jobs and services. Care and productive support have to be provided to the 800,000 disabled Afghani victims of land mines, war, birth defects, diseases, and others. The support would range from medical attention and artificial limbs to livelihood assistance. Integration of this important segment of the population (4 - 5%) into the Afghan society is as much a challenge as that of returning refugees or the IDPs. Most of these groups have to make the transition from a dependency mode to an independent mode, from war/conflict hysteria to normal cycles of life, and from an existence of hopelessness to one of hope and prosperity. 39. Dealing with the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and Natural Disasters. The need for humanitarian assistance is not going to disappear overnight; neither is Afghanistan likely to avoid natural disasters such as drought and earthquakes. Relief support will gradually have to be merged with rehabilitation and reconstruction, and the capacity has to be developed for disaster preparedness and management to contain disruption of overall development efforts. 2. Medium- to Longer-Term Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Needs40. Improving the National Road Infrastructure. All major highways, bridges, and tunnels have been destroyed or badly damaged. Their rehabilitation and reconstruction will generate labor-intensive employment and revive economic activities and trade. 41. Improving the Status of the Social Sectors. Even in the pre-1979 period, Afghanistan had among the worst social indicators (education, health, water, and sanitation) in the world. Access to social infrastructure was low for most of the population, especially for women and rural residents. These inequities need to be addressed, more so now that war-related destruction has further reduced access. 42. Removing Gender Discrimination. Under the Taliban regime, Afghan women suffered some of the worst privation experienced in any country in the modern era. However, even in the past, large segments of women have suffered discrimination due to the traditional nature of Afghan society. Addressing these concerns will be challenging in a country rooted in such tradition. However, proactive strategies are being taken by the Government to address the issue, which will require substantial assistance from the international community. 43. Fostering Economic and Social Progress through Subregional Cooperation. Peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan would be a catalyst for closer economic bonds between neighbors, e.g., India; Iran; Pakistan; and the CARs, especially Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Both road transport and energy networks could be developed on a subregional basis with great efficiencies and gains for all these countries. Improved neighborly links would set the stage for free movement of goods and people and promotion of subregional cooperation. Afghanistan's stability would provide a huge boost not only for the neighboring countries but for Asia as a whole. 44. Promoting Community-Based Development. Decentralized community-based development under central coordination and monitoring would ensure local resource mobilization and efficient use of resources, and would sustain and protect the cultural diversity of the Afghan People. 45. Containing/Limiting/Exterminating Poppy Cultivation. There has been a significant resurgence of poppy cultivation in several provinces. The IAA is committed to eliminating it but the task is made difficult by lack of an enforcement mechanism or an economic incentive for the farmers involved. The Government has worked out a compensation package for poppy cultivators to give up their poppy fields, but the amount offered does not appear to satisfy the population concerned. The Government needs to address this expeditiously.
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