RE: "AFGHANISTAN NON-DELIVERY OF $5 BILLION WORTH OF AID."

That agreement is being met. But some foreign governments want agencies to hire people with the greatest amount of experience, rather than local people, feeling that it's the only effective way to undertake immediate critical action, rather than spending time training people in the complex skills needed. Not saying I agree with that approach, just trying to answer your question.

Has someone told you he wasn't?

Really? Who has asked you to undertake this investigation? And when will you be arriving in Kabul? Because I'm sure you will be going onsite to Afghanistan if someone has asked you to trace the aid there -- I'm sure you wouldn't think of trying to do an assessment from outside of the country.

For those who would like to read the actual news stories and see the actual news sources:

Reuters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080325/wl_nm/afghan_aid_dc;_ylt=AqkkW71518mkJmlDDFjdl7QJ1vAI

AFP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080325/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanunrestaid;_ylt=ApM0iz1v9kLyUKsp8YqurncJ1vAI

Shortfall of aid money undermines Afghan peace
http://www.afghanistannews.net/story/341107

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Jayne Cravens
www.coyotecommunications.com/development/
Bonn, Germany

Hi Jayne
In answer to your question, yes I will be going to Afghansitan, once all my documentation has been sorted out.
I will be visiting Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Herat; Mazor Jalalabad and on to the village of Nur Khel.
Working as a Humanitarian Emergency Advisor and Consultant my work involves looking into increased volume of aid particularly to rural areas.
Transparency by donors and improved information flows to the Afghan Government.
Better measurements of the impact, efficiency and relevance of aid.
Looking at the independent commission on aid effectiveness to monitor donor performance.
Looking into effective co-ordination between donors and with the Afghan Government.
As for Sandy Gall, no all I heard was that he had retired, but his expertise lies with Afghanistan. It is that no mention has been made of him, as he is such a prominent journalist, you would think that there would be something about what he is doing in Afghanistan on the news, even though this maybe restricted.
Rosa

I've only read the exec summary of the Oxfam/ACBAR report but I'm suprised it doesn't answer the original posters' question as to why initially promised aid has not appeared/been spent. A situation which after all is not uncommon. And before travelling off to Afghanistan, Rosa, I'd look at the work of AREU (amongst others), as they have also done some excellent work on aid (in)effectiveness here.

And why Sandy Gall? I'm sure he's a very good journalist, but does that make him qualified to act as a special envoy? (and an envoy of whom, to do what?)

On an Afghan tangent, the Globe and Mail newspaper is running a series of in-depth interviews with Talibs that's worth a look for those interested: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/talkingtothetaliban

Jake