Kabul: Sweden has reaffirmed its long-term financial assistance to Afghanistan by pledging $1.2bn in aid which would be spent over the next decade in various sectors.
Jonas Westerland, Sweden’s senior civilian representative in northern Afghanistan, said the fund will be spent to improve education, private sector, democracy, gender equality and human rights.
He said half of the fund would be spent by the government while and the remaining through Swedish non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press.
Westerland told a press conference in northern Shebarghan province that the fund will cover projects in all 34 provinces.
He said projects prepared by the government of Sweden, will be executed in 2015 and completed by 2025. Sweden is among the major donors for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. It announced last August to increase aid to $130m a year, from $92.3m.
Sweden also contributed troops to the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, and pledged to keep around 200 troops after majority of Nato combat troops leave by the end of 2014.
Six killed in Helmand blast
Kabul: A senior Afghan government official said a roadside bomb in the southern Helmand province killed six civilians, including two women and two children.
Mohammed Sharif, head of Musa Qala district in Helmand, said the bomb ripped through a vehicle late on Thursday night, killing everyone inside. No one has taken responsibility.
Agencies
