The U.N. Development Program acknowledged Tuesday that contractor abuses occurred during its oversight of $25.6 million in American-funded rebuilding projects in Afghanistan, as charged in a U.S. government report.
The criticism by the U.S. Agency for International Development came last June but wasn''t disclosed publicly until USA Today reported on it Tuesday.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UNDP, the United Nations'' main anti-poverty program, said the agency expected to repay no more than $1.5 million provided by USAID for rebuilding Afghan infrastructure.
All of the U.S.-funded "Quick Impact Projects" taken on by UNDP were subcontracted to the scandal-plagued U.N. Office for Project Services. The office, known as UNOPS, in turn hired local contractors to do the work in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban.
Dujarric said the idea was to urgently repair roads, bridges, wells and clinics while creating jobs for Afghans in remote and often "insecure" areas.
"The vast majority of these projects were completed successfully," he said. "UNDP is as angry as anyone about the reported misbehavior of UNOPS or any other U.N. employee in Afghanistan, during the period 2003 to 2006, and we fully support U.N. action against any individuals involved."
He said USAID and the State Department provided UNDP with nearly $336 million over the past seven years with "no major disputes or difficulties."
Tajik leader receives top Russian diplomat
Tajik, Russian foreign ministers discuss migration cooperation issue
Tajik leader receives World Bank vice president to discuss cooperation
Lavrov calls on Central Asian partners to take critical look at cooperation schemes imposed by the West
Russian foreign minister says building a dialogue with the Taliban is in the interests of the region
Top Russian diplomat accuses the United States of supporting terrorist groups active in Afghanistan
Tajik, Russian interior ministers meet in Guliston to discuss migration and problems related to it
Tajikistan will determine soon what benefits will bring it accession to EAEU, says Russian FM
EBRD appoints new head of its resident office in Tajikistan
Russian defense ministry proposes to notify Russian about mobilization call-up via SMS
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста