Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

CHAPTER 1THE ANDS: AN OVERVIEWThe overriding objective of the ANDS is to substantiallyreduce poverty, improve the lives ofthe Afghan people, and create the foundationfor a secure and stable country. This requiresbuilding a strong, rapidly expanding economyable to generate the employment opportunitiesand increasing incomes essential for povertyreduction. The ANDS establishes the Government’sstrategy and defines the policies, programsand projects that will be implementedover the next five years and the means for effectivelyimplementing, monitoring and evaluatingthese actions. The goals included in theANDS are fully consistent with the commitmentsentered into in previous strategies andagreements and build on the considerable progressthat has been achieved since 1380 (2001).While focus of the ANDS is on the next fiveyears, it will continue to adjust to changing circumstances– it is intended to be a ‘livingdocument’.The ANDS serves as the country’s Poverty ReductionStrategy Paper (PRSP). As such, it establishesthe joint Government/internationalcommunity commitment to reducing poverty;describes the extent and patterns of povertythat exist; presents the main elements of itspoverty reduction strategy; summarizes theprojects and programs that will assist the poor;and provide a three-year macroeconomicframework and three-year policy matrix relevantto the poverty reduction efforts. ThePRSP has been prepared based on an inclusiveconsultative process to ensure broad participationand support, while also ensuring policiesare based on evidence. A public policy dialoguewith all key stakeholders was carried outacross all provinces, allowing government officials,private sector representatives, NGOs, themedia and ordinary citizens an opportunity todiscuss local conditions and concerns. Thisallowed these communities to participate effectivelyin defining the poverty problem as theyexperience it. In so doing, a broader choice ofpoverty actions based on the specific concernsof the poor have been established for eachprovince, as well as each district.Key issues identified by stakeholders included:(i) the lack of access to clean drinking water inall provinces; (ii) the needed improvement inprovincial roads; (iii) the poor quality of publicservices; (iv) poorly trained teachers and doctors;(v) the lack of alternatives to poppy cultivation;(vi) the lack of vocational training forreturnees and disabled people; (vii) poor accessto electricity; (viii) corruption within the publicadministration particularly respect to the securityservices. The Government has examined arange of poverty actions based on the specificconcerns of the poor including vulnerability,conflict sensitivity, insecurity and governance.The ANDS lays out the strategic priorities andthe policies, programs and projects for achievingthe Government’s development objectives.These are organized under three pillars: (i) Security;(ii) Governance, Rule of Law and HumanRights; and (iii) Economic and Social Development.SECURITYSecurity and stability in all parts of the countryis essential for economic growth and povertyreduction. Afghanistan still faces a number ofserious challenges before it can assume full responsibilityfor this. International terroristsand domestic extremists prevent the Governmentfrom establishing effective control insome areas, particularly in the south and southeast.The large-scale production of narcoticscontinues to provide funds to these groups.Unexploded ordinance remains a significantthreat to Afghans, with some five thousandcitizens either killed or wounded in mine explosionssince 1380 (2001). Currently only twoThe ANDS: An Overview 5