Development efforts in Afghanistan

Development efforts in Afghanistan : is there a will and a way ?

The case of disability and vulnerability

The emergence and widening of the gap between the few who benefit from peace and reconstruction efforts, and the marginalised groups of Afghan society who do not, is becoming a serious concern. Afghans with disabilities are one of these vulnerable groups ; they have specifie needs and they demand their right for a place in the new Islamic republic.

This collective work addresses key issues surrounding the provision of international assistance. It is based on fieldwork and research undertaken in Afghanistan, and evaluates a number of development programmes. By identifying the gap between the needs of the people and the delivery of aid, and examining the decision making processes of donor agencies in determining which programmes to fund, this book questions the underlying values and assumptions that motivate interventions. In addition to analysing development programmes, the authors provide recommendations for improving aid effectiveness.

This book is an important resource for policy makers, donor agencies and development actors, and contributes to the wider debate surrounding the effectiveness of humanitarian aid and reconstruction.