The reconstruction of Afghanistan is expected to cost about US$15 billion over the next 10 years, the World Bank said Tuesday.
The reconstruction will cost about 5 billion dollars in the first two and a half years, according to a preliminary needs assessment prepared jointly by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program and the Asian Development Bank.
"In the immediate months ahead, the Afghan administration will be under pressure to achieve quick results in its reconstruction efforts, meeting pressing needs in a way that gives the citizens a stake in peace and stability, and enhancing national integration,"the report said.
The document has been circulated to donor governments ahead of the January 21-22 Afghanistan donors conference in Tokyo, Japan.The assessment will be subject to further discussion at that meeting.
The World Bank said Afghanistan's interim administration is expected to play a leadership role in drawing up the priorities for reconstruction. These should be focused in the short term on access to health services, education for children, especially girls, and adults returning to work, particularly in farming.
The bank said it expects refugees to return home when they see the benefits of peace, security and development activities.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2002)
