We, the NGO members of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief, urge your support for the expansion of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to Northern Afghanistan. Until a sufficiently large, equipped and trained national army is in place, expanding ISAF offers the only practical hope of a non-partisan security force in such areas.

Once again, the people of Northern Afghanistan are being victimized by crime, banditry and factional fighting. Displaced populations and ethnic minorities in particular are seeing increased harassment, intimidation and theft of their property. Homes have being burned, families displaced, camps have been looted.

NGOs have found it increasingly difficult to provide services and support to vulnerable populations in Northern areas. Our workers have been attacked and sexually assaulted, our property has been repeatedly looted, and our convoys carrying life-saving goods have been shot at, hijacked, and stolen. Some NGOs have already terminated their services. Other NGOs are strongly considering withdrawal.

When the international coalition against terrorism was formed, the Afghan people were promised that they would not be made to suffer for the crimes of a few. The international community committed to giving the next generation of Afghans a hope their parents never had.

Yet, the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan remains hostage to concerns of insecurity and instability. Of the $4.5 billion that was pledged to Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts in Tokyo, only a fraction has been disbursed. Why? Because major donors remain concerned that Afghanistan will return to violence and instability.

We believe a limited expansion of ISAF is critical. Northern areas are in dire need of reconstruction and emergency support, which they will not receive if insecurity prevails. Without international intervention, political, factional and ethnic tensions in the North will increase even further. We urge you, therefore, to support the immediate expansion of ISAF to Northern Afghanistan.

Yours respectfully,

Ian Purves, on behalf of the NGO members of ACBAR: