Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Paragraph: 55
The UK’s engagement in Afghanistan over the last two decades ties us to the country.
Conclusion
The UK’s engagement in Afghanistan over the last two decades ties us to the country. The overriding goal of our policy towards Afghanistan should be to reduce the impact of the humanitarian disaster unleashed by the international withdrawal. Humanitarian aid is vital, but will not be enough to avert catastrophe if the economy remains paralysed. A functioning economy is needed for delivery of aid at any scale, and for ordinary Afghans to support themselves. The current liquidity crisis is, in large part, created by the international community’s measures against the Taliban.
Paragraph Reference:
55
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
115. The Government agrees with the Committee on the importance of doing what it can to help mitigate the impact of the humanitarian crisis on the Afghan people. This has been one of the UK’s highest priorities since last August. The Government delivered on its pledge to spend £286 million in financial year 2021/22. The Government agrees on the importance of sustaining aid to Afghanistan, and has committed the same amount again for this current financial year. Afghanistan is the UK’s largest bilateral ODA programme, and is likely to represent about 30% of the UK’s total humanitarian spending this year. 116. The Government has worked closely with partners, including international and national NGOs and civil society groups, to adapt its approach to the situation inside Afghanistan and to inform its response. This has included drawing on experience of delivering aid to countries in conflict, and of dealing with regimes that lack legitimacy. 117. The UK Government has played a leading role in mobilising wider international resources for Afghanistan. In March 2022, the UK co-hosted an international pledging conference for Afghanistan with the UN, Qatar, and Germany, which raised $2.4 billion for the humanitarian response this year. The UK has been a leading voice in encouraging the rapid repurposing of the $1.5 billion which was left in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund at the World Bank, helping build a consensus to make that money available both for the humanitarian response and to support basic services. 118. The Government agrees with the Committee that now is not the right time to resume direct bilateral development funding. Other leading donors agree. For the year 2022–23, the UK will maintain emergency humanitarian support through UN agencies, whilst increasing programming to NGOs who will support health, agriculture and livelihoods; and, where girls are going to school, education. The UK will also build capacity in local NGOs involved in its response, recognising their ability to reach remote locations, access vulnerable groups, and increase the capacity and sustainability of local partners.