The Australian Council for International Development is an independent national association of
Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the field of international aid and
development.
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02 6285 1816
Mail: Private Bag 3
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DEAKIN ACT 2600
email:
main@acfid.asn.au
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DEAKIN ACT 2600
media release
Australian Council for International Development
Embargo 12am 15 October 2010
13/2010
Afghanistan: Calling for a 10 Year Aid Commitment
Greater Aid Transparency Required
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) is calling for the
Federal Government to commit to a ten-year humanitarian and development
program for the people of Afghanistan.
As the peak body for Australian aid and development organizations, we have written
to Parliamentarians ahead of next week’s debate on Afghanistan calling for greater
transparency and accountability of Australia’s civilian and military assistance.
“Afghanistan is the second poorest country in the world and its people need a long-
term aid commitment if their development needs are to be effectively met. This
should be a predictable and timetabled pledge to provide at least AUD$100 million
per year in development assistance for the next ten years,” said ACFID Executive
Director Marc Purcell.
“Our experience shows that short-term bursts of aid are not effective due to
corruption and the inability of the Afghan Government to absorb large amounts of
money over a short period. Steady, predictable delivery of aid over long periods of
time brings better results.
“Transparency and public disclosure of Australia’s aid expenditure to Afghanistan and
its effectiveness is insufficient. The ADF do not appear to have formally evaluated
the effectiveness of their aid work. The Canadian Government reports to its own
Parliament on a quarterly basis with a breakdown of all official development
assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan. Australia should do the same,” Mr Purcell said.
“A Senate Select Committee should undertake an inquiry on the future of Australia’s
long-term role in Afghanistan, with similar terms of reference to inquiries that have
occurred in the UK, US and Canada. This would be the best way to deliberate on the
nature of our long-term aid and development commitment,” Mr Purcell concluded.
Further information:
In the 2010-11 Federal Budget, Afghanistan is the fourth largest country recipient of
Australian ODA ($123m) and the AusAID Afghanistan country program receives $106m.
In 2009-10, AusAID estimates that around 10% of the AusAID country program was spent
in Uruzgan Province. This is expected to increase to between 14-20% in 2010-11.
The Defence budget is estimated to be ten times that of the Australian aid budget to
Afghanistan, at approximately AUD$1.2 billion.
Media inquiries: Joy Kyriacou 0412 084 782
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