Phil Goff: Still much to be done to help rebuild lives after the Taleban

Phil Goff

Next week in London, New Zealand will take part in a conference to set the future of international assistance in Afghanistan.

Last year's parliamentary elections mean Afghanistan's main institutions of state are in place, and in London, international attention will move to the next phase of nation building.

The conference will launch the Afghan Compact, which aims to improve the effectiveness of aid by aligning donors to the goals of Afghanistan's new five-year national development strategy, and by establishing joint co-ordination mechanisms.

Afghanistan's stability is important for global security. However, given the scale of the problems facing Afghanistan, and the obstacles to rebuilding the shattered infrastructure and economy, the risk of failure remains real and worrying.

In that context, New Zealand remains committed to continuing to help the Afghan people. Despite our relative geographical isolation from Afghanistan, we have committed $130 million in military and development assistance since 2001.

By just about every measure, Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries. It is rebuilding mud brick by mud brick from the devastation of 24 years of war and civil strife.

Afghanistan's economy is dominated by the opium trade, which fuels corruption, insecurity and indebtedness. Parts of the country are effectively in the hands of local warlords, while Taleban resistance continues in the south.

After years of conflict, a whole generation has missed basic education and access to health care. Over 70 per cent of adults - rising to 92 per cent among women in rural areas - cannot read. Three out of five girls still don't go to school. The average life span is 45 years and the infant mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. Nevertheless, there have been important milestones. As well as successful elections, a new constitution has been adopted. More than 60,000 combatants have been disarmed, 3.5 million refugees have returned home, and new schools and clinics are being built.

New Zealand's contribution has been largely focused on the remote province of Bamyan in the mountainous Hindu Kush , where the New Zealand Defence Force has run a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) since September 2003.

The PRT's work has created a secure environment and earned the goodwill of local people allowing important steps to begin towards long-term development. Over the past four years, many hundreds of NZDF personnel have served in Afghanistan, while New Zealand has committed $20 million in aid. Following an assessment visit last October, NZAID, has committed a further $15 million over the next three years for civilian-led projects through UN agencies, NGOs, and continued funding to the PRT.

New Zealand's focus will continue to be on projects that respond to needs expressed by the local authorities and people. This includes developing sustainable rural livelihoods, maternal health care, education, governance, security, human rights, and support for Bamyan University.

New Zealand Police, funded by NZAID, are helping train and mentor local police officers as an effective police force is critical to restoring order, protecting human rights and maintaining security. The PRT has been building district police stations and providing police vehicles.

Other recent projects have included building roads and bridges, assisting schools and health clinics, and contributing $500,000 to a project helping impoverished farmers to plant cash crops that will reduce their reliance on poppy cultivation.

While recent advances in security and reconstruction have been encouraging, there is still much to be done. Cabinet will soon consider future options for New Zealand's engagement in Afghanistan. It is likely our military contribution there will continue to be a significant element in New Zealand's long-term commitment to international security.

* Phil Goff is the Minister of Defence