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| Long-term security in Afghanistan depends on aid for its people | Long-term security in Afghanistan depends on aid for its people |
| (30 days later) | |
| Malnutrition rates among Afghan children (Report, 5 September) are a stark reminder of the impact of decades of poverty and conflict on Afghan people, and of the real danger of forgetting the country's most vulnerable citizens as foreign security forces rush for the exit. | Malnutrition rates among Afghan children (Report, 5 September) are a stark reminder of the impact of decades of poverty and conflict on Afghan people, and of the real danger of forgetting the country's most vulnerable citizens as foreign security forces rush for the exit. |
| Despite billions of dollars spent in Afghanistan over the past decade, around 9 million people still live in extreme poverty. Afghan women especially face huge challenges and food insecurity is chronic. These issues cannot be tackled by quick-fix projects that prioritise political interests and short-term security objectives. | Despite billions of dollars spent in Afghanistan over the past decade, around 9 million people still live in extreme poverty. Afghan women especially face huge challenges and food insecurity is chronic. These issues cannot be tackled by quick-fix projects that prioritise political interests and short-term security objectives. |
| Funds should be spent transparently on projects supported by local communities that will last far into the future. Rural development and support for agriculture, on which the majority of Afghan people depend, is key and has been neglected for too long. | Funds should be spent transparently on projects supported by local communities that will last far into the future. Rural development and support for agriculture, on which the majority of Afghan people depend, is key and has been neglected for too long. |
| The effectiveness of aid has a profound impact on peace and stability, yet funds are dwindling. While all eyes are on the security situation and foreign troop withdrawals, Afghan people continue to deal with incredible hardship, conflict and disorder. Half of these people are under the age of 15, and most live in rural areas. Peace in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without determined efforts to reduce poverty. Faruq Faisel Oxfam, Kabul | The effectiveness of aid has a profound impact on peace and stability, yet funds are dwindling. While all eyes are on the security situation and foreign troop withdrawals, Afghan people continue to deal with incredible hardship, conflict and disorder. Half of these people are under the age of 15, and most live in rural areas. Peace in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without determined efforts to reduce poverty. Faruq Faisel Oxfam, Kabul |
| • As people across the world celebrate UN international literacy day today, we wanted to tell your readers about a great British idea which has put precious books into the hands of children across the globe. This year is the 20th anniversary of Bookstart, a scheme devised by the UK charity Booktrust to give free books to all pre-school children, along with advice to their parents, so creating a lifelong love of reading. Bookstart has been adopted in 26 countries – like ours – around the world. | • As people across the world celebrate UN international literacy day today, we wanted to tell your readers about a great British idea which has put precious books into the hands of children across the globe. This year is the 20th anniversary of Bookstart, a scheme devised by the UK charity Booktrust to give free books to all pre-school children, along with advice to their parents, so creating a lifelong love of reading. Bookstart has been adopted in 26 countries – like ours – around the world. |
| After the Japanese city of Rikuzentakata was devastated in the tsunami, the delivery of Bookstart packs symbolised normal life returning. Teachers and health workers told us how important it was for traumatised children and parents to find peace together, absorbed in their Bookstart books. | After the Japanese city of Rikuzentakata was devastated in the tsunami, the delivery of Bookstart packs symbolised normal life returning. Teachers and health workers told us how important it was for traumatised children and parents to find peace together, absorbed in their Bookstart books. |
| We thank our British friends for their inspiration, but we are concerned that the programme in your country faces an uncertain future. In Germany, the government has guaranteed funding until 2018. We know that economic conditions are tough in the UK but would urge your government to continue to support work which does so much to bring books into the lives of children. Jörg Maas Stiftung Lesen, Germany, Izumi Satou Bookstart, Japan, Majo de Saedeleer Stichting Lezun, Belgium, Carmen Barvo Fundalectura, Columbia | We thank our British friends for their inspiration, but we are concerned that the programme in your country faces an uncertain future. In Germany, the government has guaranteed funding until 2018. We know that economic conditions are tough in the UK but would urge your government to continue to support work which does so much to bring books into the lives of children. Jörg Maas Stiftung Lesen, Germany, Izumi Satou Bookstart, Japan, Majo de Saedeleer Stichting Lezun, Belgium, Carmen Barvo Fundalectura, Columbia |
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