02 November 2001

USAID to Give $8.2 Million in Immediate Aid to Afghanistan

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced it is spending $8.2 million for immediate assistance to Afghanistan, including $5 million to purchase 160 trucks.

At a November 2 ceremony marking the agency's 40th birthday, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios said the trucks will be used to get food assistance to vulnerable people in Afghanistan before snow falls making roads impassable.

The agency also said $2 million will go to assist families in southern and central Afghanistan and $1.2 million to establish a shelter program in northeast Afghanistan to encourage up to 5,000 displaced families to return to their homes.

The United States has contributed $114,364,745 in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to date in fiscal year 2002.

Following is the USAID press release:

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2) -- At a ceremony today celebrating the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Administrator Andrew S. Natsios announced $8.2 million to get immediate aid to Afghanistan. Natsios was joined at the anniversary celebration by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

Natsios pointed to USAID's massive humanitarian operation to help the Afghan people as a prime example of the commitment and determination of the United States to helping those in need.

$5 Million to Purchase 160 Trucks

To aid the humanitarian effort, Natsios announced the purchase of 160 trucks, at a cost of $5 million, to support the delivery of emergency food aid into Afghanistan. The funds for the truck purchase are being provided through USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) FY02 budget to the World Food Program (WFP). The trucks will expand the distribution efforts and get more food to vulnerable Afghans.

"We are reaching a critical period in Afghanistan," Natsios said. "The first heavy snows have fallen in the hills outside Kabul and many routes will become impassable shortly. It is imperative that we focus on increasing delivery options."

$3.2 Million in Grants

In addition, Natsios announced $3.2 million in grants to provide shelter and distribute food and water. Of that money, $2 million will be used to assist the most vulnerable families in southern and central Afghanistan. Mercy Corps International will distribute WFP food to 10,000 families, potable water to 3,000 families, and other non-food items to 10,000 families. The remaining $1.2 million will help establish a shelter program in northeast Afghanistan to encourage up to 5,000 previously displaced families to return to their homes by repairing looted and destroyed homes. These grants come from OFDA's FY02 budget.

The United States Government has contributed $114,364,745 in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to date in FY02.

The United States Agency for International Development is the U.S. Government agency that has provided economic development and humanitarian assistance worldwide for 40 years.