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Afghanistan Donors Told to 'Pay Up'
Friday, June 7, 2002
(11:18 GMT) (12:18 UK)
The BBC

"Needs are greater than resources" in Afghanistan, the UN says.
Image Credit: The Associated Press.

"There is a good level of commitment to UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, but much less resources to the administration. They prefer to say 'we built 15 schools in Bamiyan'."

Development chiefs have urged donors to honour aid promises for Afghanistan, following complaints that the war-torn country is being denied regeneration cash.

"We urge fellow donors to make good on pledges made in Tokyo," World Bank country director Alastair McKechnie said.

While donors in a meeting in Tokyo in January pledged $4.5bn in aid cash over five years, Afghanistan's interim government has so far received only $40m-45m, with a further $50m in promises, the United Nations said.

Mr McKechnie's plea came as the World Bank, which last month opened new offices in Kabul, approved $90m in grants for economic regeneration, water sanitation and education projects.

"We could make up to $100m more available in direct budget support in the months immediately ahead," Mr McKechnie added.

* Government bypassed
* 'Drop in the ocean'
(More: BBC Online News Source)
2002 © The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Dan