Menu
02/03/2004
UK to double Afghan aid to £500m by 2009
The government has said that it will more than double the funding it sends to Afghanistan over the next five years to at least £500 million.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that improvements over the last two years included increased education assistance and the immunisation of 12 million children for polio and 16 million for measles.
"But there are still challenges ahead," he said. "Our new commitment will help to address those issues."
One of the major challenges is security, particularly in the south and east of the country and drugs continue to be a major issue. The UK is working to support the Afghan police and helping to build a new National Army, Mr Benn said. It is also assisting with the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
The government will also offer assistance to strengthen Afghanistan's public sector in key areas such as health and education.
At the donor conference held in Tokyo in 2002 the international community pledged $4.5 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Many donors who made only one-year pledges at that time have promised further sums and the total has increased to more than $5.2 billion, the Department for International Development said.
(gmcg)
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said that improvements over the last two years included increased education assistance and the immunisation of 12 million children for polio and 16 million for measles.
"But there are still challenges ahead," he said. "Our new commitment will help to address those issues."
One of the major challenges is security, particularly in the south and east of the country and drugs continue to be a major issue. The UK is working to support the Afghan police and helping to build a new National Army, Mr Benn said. It is also assisting with the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
The government will also offer assistance to strengthen Afghanistan's public sector in key areas such as health and education.
At the donor conference held in Tokyo in 2002 the international community pledged $4.5 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Many donors who made only one-year pledges at that time have promised further sums and the total has increased to more than $5.2 billion, the Department for International Development said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 June 2011
World's Poorest Children To Be Immunised By 2015
Major public and private donors achieved a milestone in global health today by committing funding to immunise more than 250 million of the world’s poorest children against life-threatening diseases by 2015 and prevent more than four million premature deaths. At the summit in London, countries are being asked to give an extra £2.3bn ($3.
World's Poorest Children To Be Immunised By 2015
Major public and private donors achieved a milestone in global health today by committing funding to immunise more than 250 million of the world’s poorest children against life-threatening diseases by 2015 and prevent more than four million premature deaths. At the summit in London, countries are being asked to give an extra £2.3bn ($3.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
10 December 2004
UK pledges smallpox vaccine for global use
The UK government has pledged to contribute four million doses of smallpox vaccine to a new global stockpile being assembled by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine shots will form part of the international response to an outbreak of the disease in a country which does not have its own or sufficient countermeasures.
UK pledges smallpox vaccine for global use
The UK government has pledged to contribute four million doses of smallpox vaccine to a new global stockpile being assembled by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine shots will form part of the international response to an outbreak of the disease in a country which does not have its own or sufficient countermeasures.
02 April 2004
UN envoy welcomes Afghan aid donations
The UN's top envoy to Afghanistan has hailed the success of this week's international conference on the country, which closed with donors pledging to give $8.2 billion over the next three years for the reconstruction effort.
UN envoy welcomes Afghan aid donations
The UN's top envoy to Afghanistan has hailed the success of this week's international conference on the country, which closed with donors pledging to give $8.2 billion over the next three years for the reconstruction effort.
31 March 2003
Extra cash earmarked for war effort
Chancellor Gordon Brown has earmarked an extra £1.25 billion for the war in Iraq - bringing the total war budget to around £3 billion. Mr Brown also revealed that an extra £120 million has been allocated for the Department for International Development towards humanitarian relief in the conflict area.
Extra cash earmarked for war effort
Chancellor Gordon Brown has earmarked an extra £1.25 billion for the war in Iraq - bringing the total war budget to around £3 billion. Mr Brown also revealed that an extra £120 million has been allocated for the Department for International Development towards humanitarian relief in the conflict area.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
