Catalog

Afghanistan
Rising from the Ruins

Continuing support of the donor community is helping rebuild Afghanistan; ADB is making good on its plans to extend $610 million in assistance

Afghanistan, with its varied terrain ranging from soaring mountains to broad valleys and searing deserts, straddles the ancient trading routes from Central Asia to South Asia.

A multicultural, ethnically diverse nation, its strategic location has tempted many conquerors from Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Babur to more modern invaders.

The conflicts of the past 3 decades brought ruination. As if man-made destruction were not enough, nature also contributed with a prolonged drought.

“Rebuilding Afghanistan is a daunting challenge, and the Asian Development Bank is playing a lead role in this effort,” says Yoshihiro Iwasaki, Director General of ADB’s South Asia Department.

“Our loans and grants will enable the Government to repair roads and power supply and distribution; develop petroleum and gas sources; rehabilitate irrigation systems, rural primary school buildings, and health clinics; and promote capacity building within the Government.”

On 3 June 2003, ADB issued its updated Country and Strategy Program for Afghanistan, which earmarks $610 million in assistance from 2003 to 2005.

As a first step in implementing the strategy, ADB also approved a $150 million concessional loan for a project to restore key infrastructure in the road, electric power, and gas sectors. Afghanistan was one of 31 founding members of ADB in 1966, but operations were suspended in 1979 following the Soviet occupation and during the rule of the Taliban regime.

Following the cessation of hostilities at the end of 2001, ADB attended the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan and in May 2002 resumed support with a package of $15 million in technical assistance grants.

These are helping build capacity for agriculture and natural resources, education, health, road transport, energy, and finance.

With the continued support of the donor community, Afghanistan’s prospects of peace have never been better.

Find out more about ADB's activities in Afghanistan

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