PUL-I-KUMRI, Afghanistan -- Members of the International Security Assistance Force distribute winter supplies as part of a broader effort to provide needed development and humanitarian assistance to Afghans in the area. (Photo by ISAF Public Affairs)

Hungarian forces distributed warm clothes and winter supplies to more than 200 local Afghan families in Baghlan Province.

The Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs selected single mothers and widows for the delivery given out at the Afghan National Army base near the edge of the town.

The International Security Assistance Force and international aid organizations have provided aid to thousands of Afghans in recent weeks to help during the harsh winter months.

ISAF

Since 2003, Hungary’s active participation in the Afghanistan international force has increasingly grown and it has taken on its share of the burden in proportion to its capabilities in supporting its stability. In doing so, it wishes to express that it is not just a recipient of common security but advances it both in NATO and the European Union.

At the start of October 2006 Hungary took over leadership of the Baghlan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), raising the country’s contribution to a new level and supplementing it with development activities. In the Hungarian PRT there are several old, new and prospective European Union member states present, contributing to the realisation of development projects. Currently 210 members or the armed forces fulfil a number of roles besides military duties which include improving the living conditions of residents, and putting great emphasis on concluding projects which provide preparations for infrastructural developments as part of the so-called CIMIC (civil-military co-operation).

The implementation of civil development projects has an annual budget of 500 million forints (about 2,1 million euros). These are primarily realised through expert ministries and non-governmental organisations. The development programmes relate to Baghlan province and the needs of the local population as well as fulfilling goals attached to the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS). In the focus of developments are bringing about the conditions for a self-sustaining economy, with highlighted goals including job-creation, the creation of a constitutional state, educational institutions and agricultural development.

The basic implementation guideline is that projects should draw in local workers and local deliveries as much as possible. Clearly without local interest and participation external support would not lead to a sustainable outcome.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary