We’re working to improve the effectiveness of Afghan governance, supporting economic growth, developing basic services and reducing poverty. We are working towards the day when Afghan forces can take charge of the security situation, ensuring a stable and peaceful country.
Around International Women’s Day recently, the PRT here had a number of female-focussed visits, including Baroness Warsi and the NATO Secretary General’s wife. Earlier in the same week, Justine Greening, the DFID Secretary of State gave a speech on the importance of tackling …
Local governance in Afghanistan is full of acronyms – PDP, DCC, DDA, PGO to name just a few – and SPAD is the latest addition. Admittedly, UK civil servants when they hear "SPAD" will not think of a programme that …
I have now left Afghanistan after nearly 21 months there. Just over a year ago, I spent four days in Bamyan province considering a new agriculture programme supported by UK and New Zealand aid. One year later I accompanied our Ambassador on his …
Tourism was not the first thing I expected to do while living in Kabul, but I recently discovered that there are some impressive sights to visit, including the treasures at the National Museum of Afghanistan. The museum was built in …
I'm a keen cricket fan, so recently I travelled to Colombo, Sri Lanka to cheer on Afghanistan in the World 2020 Cup competition. I was able to wear my own Afghan cricket shirt as a few months ago the Afghan …
I have just returned to Kabul following a visit home to London to see my family during the Olympics. It is obviously quite a contrast between the shiny capital of "Team GB" and dusty Kabul which is still rebuilding itself …
We review our programmes annually to monitor progress. Security concerns in Afghanistan make these reviews more challenging than in other countries but, with careful planning much can be achieved and learned. I recently joined the team reviewing a new project …
I recently travelled to Helmand province in the south of Afghanistan to see for myself the activities DFID and others carry out there. I was most interested in seeing improvements in governance and basic service delivery. It was an exciting trip …
I was nervous and excited about this meeting. I dressed modestly and checked my headscarf as inside the small room were 15 local mullahs. They lived up to my image of elderly Islamic clerics, with long beards, turbans and serious countenances. Today, I …
I've spent a month in Kabul already, which has passed in a flash! In this time, I have got to grips with my job, which is to help strengthen government systems - especially how the government in Kabul works with local structures …
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