UK pledges £20m Afghan aid

Better future: Money will help Afghans rebuild

The UK Government has pledged £20m to aid the rebuilding of battle-torn Afghanistan.

The money will "underpin" the new administration, start long-term reconstruction projects and help humanitarian efforts.

The announcement follows the inauguration of the interim administration in Kabul which it is hoped will pave the way for a programme of international aid.

School facilities need to be improved for children

United Nations agencies and the European Union are making plans to meet the immediate needs of the winter, and for long term reconstruction.

International Development Secretary Clare Short said £6m of the UK aid would support UN-led "stabilisation" operations.

Seven million pounds was for long-term reconstruction - like health, education, transport and farming projects - and £7m was for humanitarian agencies.

'Better future'

"This money is to be used to assist the Afghan interim authority to start to reconstruct the country and to help the UN system start work on the rehabilitation effort alongside its continuing support for humanitarian needs.

"At this historic juncture in the evolution of Afghanistan it is more important than ever that the international community and the interim government work in partnership to build a better future for the Afghan people," Ms Short said.

Part of the money will be used to help rid the country of land mines and resettle returning refugees from camps on the country's borders.

The Department for International Development has given £40m in emergency humanitarian relief to Afghanistan.

This has been channelled through UN agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The department has also provided £26m to Pakistan to support Afghan refugees.