World Donors pledge 15 billion dollars for Afghanistan: The world donors have pledged $15 billion for Afghanistan in a conference at the EU meet, Brussels. This was to make Afghanistan sail for the next four years taking in view its devasted state. The donors have also urged Taliban to put an end to the repetitive wars.
The Afghanistan President, Ashraf Ghani too was at Brussels as he asked the World powers to help Afghanistan combat war since a fresh war had started in the city of Kunduz. More than 70 government representatives assured him to provide financial support.
At the last Afghanistan conference held in Tokyo, 2012, the country was promised a sum of $4 bn a year as financial aid. However, the aid being provided now turns out to be slightly less than the aid promised at the Tokyo conference.
As the World Donors pledge 15 billion dollars for Afghanistan, Neven Mimica, EU International Development Commissioner said, “I want you to know that you are not alone in this journey.”
Federica Mogherini, EU Foreign Policy Chief has said, “There won’t be any donor fatigue on Afghanistan.”
Afghanistan has been sustaining primarily on the world donor’s aid for so long now. While 42% of this aid goes to the defense area, approximately a whopping 70% of the income of Afghani masses depends on upon this aid. Therefore, the aid coming from the international donors is highly essential for the betterment of the country.
The World powers suggested Afghanistan to introduce the economic, social and political reforms as early as possible. They said that such reforms are indispensable for the security of women there.
“Afghanistan can make peace” – Ashraf Ghani
While Ashraf Ghani said that Afghanistan has been tirelessly trying to mend its situation and that it has also improved in certain areas such as corruption and human rights. He added, “Afghanistan can make peace.”
Since 2001, USA has spent more than $110 billion on the reconstruction of the Afghanistan economy. The whopping sum of money was spent to let Afghanistan have another chance at making peace. But even after 15 years, little improvement has been seen and the situation has only worsened.
It’s high time Afghanistan starts making peace with Taliban or else we can easily forecast a much worse scenario that Afghanistan may have to face in near future.
