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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FACT SHEET
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-43202002-068
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2002
Afghanistan was the number one recipient of U.S. humanitarian assistance before September 11, 2001 and America continues to lead the international community in providing assistance to Afghanistan today. Poverty, famine, a devastating drought, and years of war and civil strife have created a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which has been aggravated by years of Taliban misrule. The people of the United States, through USAID, have responded.
Humanitarian Aid
Funds
In January of 2002 the United States pledged $297 million in humanitarian and reconstruction aid to help the people of Afghanistan. Since October 1, 2001 USAID has provided over $350 million in aid assistance to Afghanistan.
Food
Since September 11, 2001, the United States has provided over 319,000 metric tons of food aid to the people of Afghanistan which was used to avert famine. An additional 46,000 metric tons are expected to arrive in Afghanistan in November. This assistance, valued at $200.7 million, was targeted at the most vulnerable groups totaling some nine million people, including those affected by natural disaster, conflict, returned refugees and internally displaced peoples.
Supplies
During the winter of 2001, USAID provided wool blankets and quilts; shelter kits, plastic sheeting and winterized tents. USAID also distributed mattresses, clothes, stoves, cooking sets, firewood, coal, lanterns and water containers. This non-food aid totaled over $22.5 million.
Healthcare
USAID provided medical kits and funds for health centers and mobile clinics. Part of the support included sponsoring public heath education and programs on hygiene, obstetrics, maternal childcare, and malnutrition. Essential support also includes employing trained personnel to conduct educational outreach on basic health and nutrition, especially to women. These programs helped expectant mothers, trained local birth attendants and funded the distribution of vitamins and the immunization of young children. Healthcare aid totaled over $10.4 million.
Transport
Aid agencies airlifted commodities from Pakistan and Italy to ensure there was no break in the Central Asian pipelines into Afghanistan, and funded the purchase of vehicles--some equipped with snow plows--to speed the delivery of supplies into villages.
Communications
Through the International Organization for Migration, USAID distributed over 30,000 radios allowing Afghans to hear special broadcast bulletins concerning food distribution, security, health care and other information relevant to displaced people.
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Housing
USAID is beginning small-scale spot reconstruction, providing materials to rehabilitate damaged housing for returning displaced persons.
Roads
USAID is providing funds to upgrade and rebuild roads, especially to markets, and repair and reconstruct bridges.
Water Systems
USAID is paying for the drilling of wells, the construction and repair of irrigation and water-supply systems, and the operation and maintenance of water pumping systems to provide people with potable water.
Agriculture
Despite military and political upheavals that coincided with the planting season and a locust outbreak in parts, overall cereal production in 2002 has recovered well. USAID assistance provided 7,000 metric tons of seed, fertilizer and technical assistance to over 40,000 farmers in Afghanistan. Rain-fed wheat, in particular, has recovered significantly in major growing areas of the north and western provinces compared to the previous three drought affected years. Aggregate 2002 cereal production is forecast at 3.59 million tons, 82 percent up from last year but 4 percent below the 1998 crop. This agricultural assistance totaled over $13.2 million.
Quick Facts:
319,000 metric tons of food aid has been provided to Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.
52,000 metric tons of food will feed approximately six million people for a month.
One 50 kg. (110 lbs.) bag of USAID-provided wheat will last a family of 4 approximately one month.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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