Afghan reconstruction fragmented, lacks coherence

The Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has concluded in its latest report to the Congress that reconstruction of the country, post-Taliban not only is fragmented, but also existing strategies lack coherence.

The report was submitted to the Congress January 30 by Major General Arnold Fields, Special Inspector General.

Concluding in his 75-page report, he said there is a “broad consensus” reconstruction efforts in the country are “fragmented” and “lack coherence.”

The report notes there are $ 5.63 billion in unexpended appropriated funds and indicate that 17 percent of the funds appropriated since 2001 have not been completely utilized.

Spending has been delayed for numerous reasons, SIGAR reports, pointing to the lack of locally available equipment, an increasing number of security incidents, numerous contracting delays due to engineer inexperience and inclement weather.

Providing an assessment of reconstruction funding in Afghanistan since 2002, the report reveals that substantial amounts of appropriated funds for country’s reconstruction have been allocated but not fully disbursed.

According to the report, the total amount of unexpended appropriated funds is $5.625 billion, or 17 percent of the total funds appropriated since 2001. The Department of defense, with support from the Department of Justice, accounts for $2.238 billion, or 11 percent of its program objective.

State accounts for $816.1 million, or 44 percent, while USAID accounts for $1.862 billion, or 30 percent of its program objectives to date.

Humanitarian Assistance contributions by USDA and Department of Treasury have been fully expended and it has been indicated to SIGAR that funds may have been allocated from a global appropriation for refugees / internally displaced persons to Afghanistan, which is a potential reason for why the disbursements are higher than cumulative appropriations, it said.

The report said since 2003, agencies have consistently reported spending has been delayed because almost none of the equipment and materials needed are available locally, demining of key locations, increased security incidents, imported equipment and materials held by neighboring country customs authorities and the onset of inclement weather affecting the ability to achieve the accelerated goals.