Mark Mallalieu served for two years as the Head of the UKs Department for International Development in Afghanistan. Read what he had to say after he departed Kabul last week. I have now left Kabul after two years serving as the Head of the UK’s Department for International Development – perhaps better known as UK Aid - here in Afghanistan. This farewell is particularly poignant for me because I’m also retiring after more than 37 years working in development around the world. Tragically, my final day in Kabul was marked by a suicide attack on a British Embassy vehicle, during which one UK member of our security team and one Afghan colleague lost their lives, along with several others who were in the vicinity. This was stark reminder of the risks that so many people – both Afghans and members of the international community – take on a daily basis as they seek to build a better future for Afghanistan. Despite the heartache of the last few days, I feel both fortunate and humbled to have spent my last two years of service in such a remarkable country. Living in Afghanistan, I have been struck by how similar the aspirations of the Afghan people are to the aspirations of the people I know in Britain – and indeed to people all over the world. The Afghans I know want the same things that people everywhere want: jobs, schools and health services; opportunities for their children. They don’t want to live in fear. They want peace and security, and good relations with neighbouring countries. Over the past two years, I’ve been inspired by Afghans at all levels of society who are striving to secure this better future for their country. I have visited factories and workshops established by Afghan entrepreneurs, selling products locally and planning expansion across the country. I have met school children full of energy and hope. I’ve met young people learning vocational skills; women with the courage and vision to become politicians, business leaders and members of the police. So often, I have heard stories of people who have overcome painful circumstances, and found the strength to devote their lives to creating a better future for their families and their country. Afghanistan has made real progress over the past decade. Millions more children are now in school; roads and train-lines have improved across the country; more people have access to clean drinking water, electricity and healthcare. The spirit shown by the millions of people who turned out to vote this summer and the historic importance of Afghanistan’s first democratic transition of power were true milestones. I feel proud of the role that the UK and others in the international community have been able to play in helping the people of Afghanistan to bring about this change. Perhaps most important for me, as a development professional, has been working with Ministers and senior officials seeking to build the country’s economic potential in vital areas such as agriculture and mining, and witnessing the spectacular increase in domestic revenues over the last ten years. Ultimately, this will be the way for Afghanistan to become an independent, sustainable and prosperous country. There’s no denying that there are still major challenges ahead. But the new government led by President Ghani offers an opportunity for transformational progress that may not come again for a generation. All Afghans and their friends around the world need to seize this moment. It’s not a time to be too cautious: the rewards could be enormous. As I prepare to leave Afghanistan, my final act will be to attend the London Conference on Afghanistan in the UK on 3-4 December. This Conference is the moment for the new Afghan Government to set out its vision for reform, and for the world to recommit its ongoing solidarity with Afghanistan. I may be leaving Afghanistan shortly, but the UK’s Department for International Development is not. I hand over to my successor, Chris Austin, who has now arrived in the country. The UK will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan as they seek to build a better future for their people, free from poverty and violent conflict. As I retire, I will continue to think of all the places I have seen and the people I have met during my time here. I wish Afghanistan and its people well. NB Mark was granted an Honorary Award approved by Her Majesty the Queen in 2014.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 07:11:02 +0000
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