Japan's Assistance Package for Afghanistan - On the occasion of the Visit to Japan of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan -

October 29, 2002

Japan's Support for Afghanistan

Taking the opportunity of the visit to Japan of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, Japan decided to extend a new assistance package of more than a total of about $136 million (about 16,700 million yen) utilizing Grant Aid Cooperation and other forms of assistance to support the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, headed by President Hamid Karzai, and to promote the peace and reconstruction process in the country.
Japan announced at the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan (Tokyo Conference) that it would provide up to $500 million over two and a half years of which up to $250 million would be provided in the first year. With this package, Japan's assistance for recovery and reconstruction amounts to about $282 million, thereby attaining the commitment for the first year that Japan announced at the Tokyo Conference. Combining humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction assistance, the total since the terrorist attacks in September 2001 amounts to about $375 million.
The latest assistance package has been formulated to develop the concept of "Consolidation of Peace", which focuses Japan's efforts to help build a brighter future for the people of Afghanistan on three components, like the three legs of a tripod: peace process - domestic security - humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, announced by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and based on the proposal of Ms. Sadako Ogata, Prime Minister's Special Representative.

1. Support for peace process (strengthening of administration capacities)

It is indispensable to strengthen the administration capacities of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan that was launched in June to advance the political process. Although the Government of Japan has extended financial support and dispatched experts to the country, it is important to intensify efforts to improve the economic structure.

(1) "Grant Aid to Support Improvement of Economic Structure (Non-project Grant Aid)" (6,000 million yen)

Funds to support the procurement of necessary materials and equipment for each sector including education, public health/nutrition, transportation and water/hygiene, areas that are focused upon by the administration in the nation development framework it has formulated.

(2) "Project to Improve Equipment of Kabul TV station" (about 2,348 million yen)

The existence of independent broadcasting media is essential to firmly establishing peace, achieving national reconciliation and spreading enlightening education in Afghanistan. Japan has so far provided support for the media including the nationwide broadcasting of the Emergency Loya Jirga and training for professionals working in the media. To support the long-term improvement of broadcasting technology, Japan will upgrade studio equipment and other apparatus in Kabul TV station for the production of programs.

(3) "Capacity Building of Employees of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan" (by Ministry of Finance) (about $1,510,000)

Support through the World Bank for capacity-building toward development under the initiative of the local community

(4) Personnel assistance

(a) Dispatch of experts: Continuous dispatches of advisers in the fields of education, health & medical care, medicine, assistance coordination, etc.
(Dispatched 15 experts in total since May 2002. Additional dispatch is under consideration)

(b) Acceptance of trainees: Aiming to accept 60 trainees within this year. Trainees in the fields of broadcasting, health care, and medicine have already been accepted.
(Diplomats, female teachers and those associated with support for women are expected. Preparations for acceptance including selection and other procedures are under way.)
Invitation of experts and others concerned to a UNESCO seminar to be held in Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

2. Support for domestic security

Domestic security in Afghanistan is still an issue of great concern as was demonstrated by the huge bombing incident in central Kabul, the capital, the attempted assassination of President Karzai in Kandahar and other incidents. This gives added urgency to efforts in areas such as measures for reintegration of ex-combatants, rebuilding of the police force, and dealing with drugs and landmines.

(1) Demobilization: Support for "Register for Peace" pilot project

In Afghanistan the central government and local warlords are now discussing matters including the building of a national army and the treatment of reintegration of ex-combatants. Japan, together with the UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan), is now studying the formulation of the concrete content of project, such as registration and vocational training, and means to implement the assistance.

(2) Anti-Narcotics: Cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)

Japan is now studying with the UNDCP how to implement a comprehensive anti-narcotics measure program for each region, as part of the "Ogata Initiative" (mentioned hereafter).

(3) Police: Support for the provision of wireless communications equipment, etc.

Japan has already dispatched a survey mission including experts from the National Police Agency (from late August to September). Japan is now formulating the concrete content of the assistance.

(4) Landmines: Implementation of regional as well as comprehensive measures (about $4.8 million)

As part of the "Ogata Initiative", Japan, together with the international organizations and NGOs concerned, will seek to prevent future occurrences (enlightenment campaign), take measures for the present situation (mine clearance), and restoring the status quo (support for landmine victims).

3. Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance

Immediate support that can be seen by the people of Afghanistan is needed in the field of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. It is important to improve such basic infrastructure as roads, respond to the massive problems of refugees and displaced persons, deploy support to the regions, and conduct seamless transition from humanitarian to recovery and reconstruction assistance.

Assistance for the Regional Development ---

(1) "Project for Primary Road Rehabilitation between Kandahar and Kabul" (about $773 million)

To provide assistance that is visible and to activate the economy, the Afghan side insisted strongly on the importance of improving the ring road. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan, President Bush of the United States and Foreign Minister Saud of Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement in September on road reconstruction in Afghanistan. Japan pledged to contribute $50 million for the whole project and this time will rehabilitate the section from Kandahar to Kabul as a first stage.

(2) "Assistance for Improving Road between Kandahar and Spin Baldak" (by Ministry of Finance)($15 million)

Assistance through the ADB to improve the road that links Kandahar with Pakistan. The project will not only help invigorate the regional economy but will also assist laterally in such aspects as the repatriation of refugees from Pakistan.

(3)"Regional Comprehensive Development Assistance Programme (Ogata Initiative) Phase 2">(about $41.2 million)

This assistance follows Phase 1 of the same Initiative (Comprehensive Assistance for the Reintegration and Resettlement of Refugees and Internal Displaced Persons: about $27 million) that was launched in July. Based on the proposal by Mrs. Ogata, the Prime Minister's Special Representative, Japan will implement a seamless transition from humanitarian to recovery and reconstruction assistance and comprehensive development projects in priority regions, (the same regions as in Phase 1), with the cooperation of international organizations and NGOs.

Three priority regions: regions centered on Kandahar, Jalalabad and Maza-ri-Sharif
Implementing organizations and their main activities:
- UNHCR...emergency income generation project, improvement of basic infrastructure, provision of lumber for temporary housing, measures and preparations for passing the winter (winterization), etc.
- UNICEF...prevention of transmission of contagious diseases, protection of maternal and child health, measures against malnutrition, improvement of sanitation, reinforcement of capability to provide education, etc.
- WFP..."Food for Work" project (improvement of basic irrigation facilities, well-drilling, improvement of major roads, construction of embankments, etc.)
- ICRC...provision of medicines, medical equipment, etc.
- UN Habitat ... construction of temporary housing, improvement of water-supply system
- UNDP/MACA/UNOPS...anti-landmine enlightenment campaign, mine clearance, support for landmine victims, etc.

(4) Emergency Assistance for Rehabilitation of Civilian Facilities (emergency assistance by JICA)

(a) Feasibility Survey for Agricultural Projects (Kabul and Kandahar)

(b) Emergency Assistance for ongoing Rehabilitation of Kandahar (repair of roads, schools and hospitals, from September 2)

(c) Emergency Assistance for Rehabilitation of Agriculture in and around Kandahar about to start
(restoration of irrigation facilities, etc)

Further Efforts ---

(5) Assistance for female Afghan refugees and displaced persons ($1,030,000)

Assistance through the "Trust Fund for Human Security" to help the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) conduct vocational training, seminars, income generation programs, etc. for female Afghan refugees and displaced persons

(6) Literacy and Non-Formal Education Development (LAND AFGHAN) ($500,000)

Assistance to "Universal Education", using a fund established in UNESCO

(7) Training of Afghan teachers in Pakistan ($50,000)

Assistance for training of Afghan teachers, using a fund established in UNESCO

(8) Assistance to Kabul University (by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology concluded an intercollegiate exchange agreement to accept students and scholars. Kyoto University also plans to accept scholars.

Cooperation in the Cultural Field ---

(9) Cooperation for the preservation and repair of cultural assets

(a) A survey team of experts was dispatched by the Cultural Affairs Agency (by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

(b) A joint survey team of Japan and UNESCO was dispatched for the preservation of the Bamiyan ruins (by Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

(c) An exhibition of cultural assets and a symposium were held at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

(10) A team was dispatched to assist cultural development and survey the feasibility of cultural exchange projects (late August).

A survey for the implementation of the dispatch of experts, invitation of culture-related personnel, grass-roots cultural grant aid, etc., was begun.

(11) Dispatch of a wrestling coach from August to October (Japan Foundation expert: Mr. Mitsuo Akashi)

Afghan team won two victories in the men's 66-kilogram division freestyle wrestling competition at the Asian Games (Pusan).

4. Cooperation with NGOs

(1) Cooperation with Japanese NGOs

More than 20 Japanese NGOs are actively working in Afghanistan in such fields as refugee settlement, education, and medical treatment. The Government of Japan intends to give overall support to their activities through, for example, grant aid for NGOs. Projects for which NGOs have put in applications are now under consideration. The Japanese Embassy in Kabul has regular consultation meetings with Japanese NGOs.

(2) Cooperation with international and local NGOs

Since July this year, the Government of Japan has approved four cases of grass-roots grant aid (totaling about $270,000).

(3) Cooperation with NGO fund-raising campaign for Afghanistan assistance (by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

5. Preparation of Conditions

(1) Increase of embassy staff and strengthening of the functions of the Japanese Embassy

Expanded to 10-person operation, early upgrading of embassy facilities is important.

(2) JICA office

Six-person operation. Expansion of assistance in Kandahar is now under way.

(END)

Back to Index