Australian Embassy
Afghanistan

Development cooperation

Australia’s development partnership with Afghanistan

2020-21 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$52.5 million

2020-21 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$53.6 million

2019-20 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$82.1 million

Australia’s contribution to COVID-19 recovery in Afghanistan is highly targeted and based on Australia’s interests and expertise. Noting that we are a relatively small development partner in Afghanistan’s multi-donor landscape we support global and multilateral relief and recovery efforts in response to the pandemic. Our contribution builds on Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan, alongside NATO and our allies, over the past 19 years. This approach aligns with the priorities set out in Partnerships for Recovery.

Pillar 1 – health security: supporting the international effort to reduce the effects of COVID-19 amongst Afghanistan’s most vulnerable

Australia supports international efforts to reduce the effects of COVID-19 amongst Afghanistan’s most vulnerable. Our development programs address immediate health protection, water, sanitation and hygiene needs, where appropriate.

As the focus turns to relief and recovery, Australia’s regional humanitarian strategy, provides lifesaving services to displaced people and their host communities on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border, including vaccinations and sexual and reproductive health services. We also continue to support the Afghan Government to help contain and respond to COVID-19 and enhance the Afghan health system.

Further information on programs addressing health security in Afghanistan.

Pillar 2 – stability: contribute to peace and stability in Afghanistan, focussing on participation of women

Australia supports peace and stability in Afghanistan, focusing on the participation of women. We support the nascent peace process, where opportunities allow. We remain agile, and aim to be catalytic and influential, by providing a mix of high‑impact advice and contributions to multi-donor and multilateral efforts.

We provide assistance that reinforces Afghan leadership and ownership and work alongside other donors to support a more inclusive government that represents and protects all Afghans, including women. We continue to advocate for measures to tackle corruption and enhance transparency in law and justice processes in Afghanistan.

Further information on programs addressing stability in Afghanistan.

Pillar 3 – economic recovery: support recovery from COVID-19 through Afghanistan’s strategy for economic self-reliance

Australia supports Afghanistan’s economic recovery from COVID-19 through activities aligned with the Afghan Government’s strategy for economic self‑reliance. We are supporting the Afghan Government to develop a new Afghan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF 2) through our engagement in preparatory processes for the pledging conference scheduled for the end of 2020.

We work with Afghanistan to combat organised crime and terrorism. This assists Afghanistan to meet international standards on anti-money laundering and terrorism financing under the Financial Action Task Force’s evaluation, scheduled for 2022-23. This will be important to the Afghan Government’s ability to secure ongoing international financing.

Further information on programs addressing economic recovery in Afghanistan.

A summary of results achieved in Afghanistan can be found at [insert link to factsheet].

Australia’s development efforts are set out in Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response.