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British Development Secretary commits extra funding for Helmand stabilisation and development
Submitted by editor on March 16, 2010 - 12:32
The Helmand Growth Programme (HGP) will focus on the five key districts in the province including Nad Ali where the Taliban have just been cleared in Operation Moshtarak.
Around 800,000 people will benefit from the project in which The Department for International Development is investing 28 million over three years. It will consolidate the Helmand stabilisation effort, including the recent Afghan-led District Delivery Programme (DDP), by putting in place the foundations for continued growth and job creation.
Critically, HGP will improve connectivity within the province, allowing easier movement of goods and people and reinforcing the commitment made by the Development Secretary in 2009 to invest 32 million in major infrastructure projects in Helmand, including a 50km road linking the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah to the economic hub of Gereshk.
Mr Alexander was on a joint visit to Helmand alongside Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, to see first hand the progress on the military and civilian effort in Operation Moshtarak.
Last month, British, Afghan and US soldiers cleared the Marjah area of Nad Ali district of insurgents, allowing ordinary Afghans to start to benefit from development projects and live free of Taliban control.
Staff from the British led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand will work with the Afghan Government and local people to agree community development projects.
Speaking at a press conference in Lakshkar Gah alongside Helmands Governor Mangal, Douglas Alexander said:
Extending the reach of the Afghan government within Helmand is crucial to securing the long-term stability of the province. My colleague Bob Ainsworth and I have been hearing today about the success of Op Moshtarak in clearing Marjah of insurgents.
The UK is committed now to helping Governor Mangal and the government of Afghanistan to provide the things that the residents need to be able to stabilise and develop their community, from new roads and improved power supply to job creation, access to microfinance and agricultural skills training.
Todays announcement underlines the UKs commitment to ensuring the long-term development of not just Marjah but of the whole of Helmand.
The HGP will provide jobs for 2,000 people, incentives and access to credit for 10,000 farming families and better irrigation for 30,000 people.
NGOs and the private sector will be used to deliver the programme, and a central feature will be to build capacity to deliver key services such as power and irrigation effectively.
Some elements, such as skills development, investment in small infrastructure and access to microfinance, will have an immediate effect. Others, such as larger road building projects, enabling market access and expanding business opportunities, will take the full three-year period to be realised.
