The withdrawals came throughout the summer when, first, the Taleban movement expelled non-governmental aid agencies from Kabul in July after they refused to move to a disused polytechnic building.

A month later almost all other aid groups pulled out as the United States attacked Afghan targets associated with the Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden.

Most have yet to return. Some are still refusing to move to Kabul's disused polytechnic building, while others are staying away for security reasons.

UN official Michael Keeting on the problems of getting aid pledges

The United Nations says it won't go back until it is sure its international staff will be safe - the Taleban have yet to hand over a promised report on the killing of three UN staff members in Afghanistan earlier this year.

And the British and American governments are warning their nationals that they could be in danger if they return to Afghanistan.

But some aid groups are gradually trickling back to areas outside Kabul. And the European Commission, Afghanistan's biggest single donor, says it's prepared to resume funding for projects in secure rural areas where aid will be able to reach both men and women.

Martin Griffiths, the UN's deputy emergency relief co-ordinator said the Tokyo meeting would be used to ensure that all donors and aid organisations were taking the same approach with the Taleban.