Reaction: In Afghanistan, the glass remains less than half empty.

“The dynamics of NGO-government relationship are complex and the situation in Afghanistan is particularly unique given the daunting task of reconstruction. Rafi Fazel, formerly an economist with Asian Development Bank, reacts to our earlier post on government-NGO interface in Afghanistan. Fazel makes the case that the main culprits for the tensions between government and NGO community is the “foreign contractors”. His analysis is enlightening and grounded in reality.”

The experience has shown that the Government and non-governmental organizations can work in harmony in Afghanistan. Honestly, it is the foreign contractors who are the culprits. Technically, Ambassador Samad is right. We should first ask - what are the current donor policies in delivering aide in Afghanistan.

The donor agencies contract major firms [from home] who then contract out the work to local private and non-governmental organization. This entire process bypasses the system and in fact undermines the institutions of the state. There is no public accountability as such to ensure that the firms in fact deliver. Who can a local head of the jirga/shura go to complain? The US or Canadian embassies -where the top-notch development practitioners are stationed - and hardly gets a chance to visit the project sites for security reasons and so on!!!!!!.

On the other hand, these foreign firms fuels widespread corruption. I personally think that the effect of development projects in fuelling corruption is as high as the nacro-trade in Afghanistan. Let me highlight two issues that might help clarify this point.

First, the firms have to draw on the existing human resources pool to implement projects. This is already constrained as result of 3 decades of brain-drain in Afghanistan. The firms pay remarkable sums of money as remunerations that are probably hard for graduates of high calibre to earn in the job market in Ottawa or Toronto. How does this lead to corruption? Well, the demand for public services rises and fledgling institutions cannot cope with the created demand. The elites [or we called khanzadahs!!!] are willing to pay lofty sums under the table in order to get a preferential treatment.

In addition, this discourages those in the government to work as what they get compared to someone who works for a development project is peanuts and encourages them to rent-seeking as the whole system is vulnerable in the face of a well-resourced external/parallel system.

Secondly, the firms are pressured to deliver (the term used is disburse] as the bureaucracies [in the development agencies] are under tremendous stress from their political masters. Again, the firms disburse without ensuring value for money and not delivering what should been delivered binding contracts. We also know that the firms have to work through the government agencies at the local level for security and facilitating contacts and so on.

Speaking from experience, the local government [district governors and police chiefs and even provincial governors] have put a halt to the development work and the firms again had to pay rents to cater their support for development work and avoid in getting the job done. The current system is like a broken pot and the donor community is ardent to cook a meal in the pot which they know hasn’t worked.

The Canadians should understand the dire implication of the existing system. It is not at their interest to continue with the existing policy on delivering development in Afghanistan. It undermines the democracy and freedom in Afghanistan that I am sure the Canadians care for and they put their life on the line to express their support to this very noble cause.

It is imperative that the international community respond to the Government’s call to channel the resources through the Afghanistan government gradually.

It will not only ensure value for money in terms of the impact that it can make on the life of the very impoverished but also build the capacity of the states, discourage rent-seeking, strengthen public accountability, promote public confidence in Government through service delivery and so on. 

Rafi Fazel, UK

In Afghanistan, the glass remains less than half empty.

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“OTTAWA - Afghanistan’s ambassador to Canada assured MPs Wednesday that Canadian aid funds are not winding up in the “pockets or bank accounts” of corrupt government officials. Ambassador Omar Samad made the comment at a Commons committee as he urged Canada to support a request by Afghanistan to ensure a greater portion of international aid arriving in the country is channelled through the government, rather than non-government organizations and private corporations.” Full Story 

Ambassador Samad is pitching a contentious proposition to Canadian politicians: allocate additional resources to the Afghan government.

Unfortunately, the direct appeal is not expected to produce any immediate results nor will it be a convincing case to influence those in the Canadian diplomatic, defence and development policy circles.

But, then the lingering question remains: who is doing good development work in Afghanistan? The Afghan government or non-governmental organizations?

On the ground, the reality is so complex, diverse with deeply-rooted historical, structural and political complications that it would be utterly naive to commend either the government or the NGOs for making the people’s lives better.

This is not to underestimate the stride Afghans have made after emerging from a legacy of foreign invasion, internal strife and oppression. There have been real progress made in sectors such as education and health although the statistics remain shocking.

On a critical note, a conservative statement would be to claim that squandering of billions of dollars by both entities is real, incessant and disenchanting an overwhelming majority of the people of Afghanistan. It is truly a problem that must be dealt with head’s on. For instance, the idea to have a “name & shy list” for corrupt individuals and institutions would be a brilliant idea and must be supported by one and all. 

Every day, corruption is vehemently contributing to an environment void of transparency, accountability and citizen engagement, let alone full trust and increased legitimacy.

Rather than engaging in the blame game, both the Afghan government and the broader civil society groups must start to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and initiate fundamental reforms so that the benefits of the reconstruction investments trickle down to ordinary Afghans across the country.

When it comes to the aid effectiveness in Afghanistan, the glass remains less than half empty. Only strategic partnership, sustained cooperation and genuine collaborative measures could turn the tides to lead to sustainable change in Afghanistan. This is a pivotal message that falls through the cracks of the government of Afghanistan’s bid to secure additional money for the ministries that are far from absorbing the funds, let alone effectively spending them.

By: Wais N.

Upcoming CAP Event: Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:00 pm
University of Ottawa, Stanton Hall Residence Lounge
90 University, Ottawa

Do the Canadian media report the actual state of women’s empowerment in Afghanistan? Do international interventions in Afghanistan contribute to women’s empowerment?

More information: http://www.sidottawa.ca/afghanApr2008.html

Kabul’s Little Breadwinners

The people in Kabul enjoy visiting the famous Qargha lake on Fridays. The street-working children, nonetheless, find this spot a busy market to sell their items, including chewing gums, playing cards, juices and books. Fun and play are not on their survival agenda.

Recent research conducted by the rights organizations show incresing and troubling cases of sexual assault, violence and kidnapping directed at these “little breadwinners” trying hard, at times risking their own precious lives, to feed their families.

Their plights and desires remain seriously muted and neglected. Turning a blind eye to the future of these beautiful children and potential leaders of tomorrow represents a fracture in human spirit and ethical standards. 

The Maharajahs of Kabul

Chances are if you have traveled to Kabul recently, you have seen children and women swarming the cars during the rush hours trying hard to sell items such as chewing gum, newspapers and pre-paid phone cards.  

Interestingly, there is a new, strange item on sale these days - face masks!

They’re proving a popular, demand-led necessity in a city that is infested with dust, pollution and unlimited scores of environmental hazards.

Walking on a square, you are likely to find traffic police officers wearing masks as if you were visiting an emergency room, a war-zone or an explosion site. Who is responsible for this unhealthy environment?

Frankly, I used to call my friends who are living a well-to-do life here the “Maharajahs of Kabul”; it appears that the elites and expatriate clubs are worthy of this title. Hundreds and thousands of imported landcruisers and vehicles far beyond the reach of ordinary people of Afghanistan cruise on these streets on a daily basis.

The most visible contribution of these maharajahs is shoving dust, dirt and mud all over the bodies of largely poor men and women of Kabul.

Wearing a mask, therefore, sounds like a wise attempt to protect oneself from the intentional damage caused by Kabul’s riches. The concept of social responsibility is a mere illusion in Kabul.

It is beyond comprehension, at such instances, to imagine where this country is heading.

- Wais from Kabul