Independent Evaluation Group2013-09-132013-09-132013-07-26978-0-8213-9872-2doi: 10.1596/978-0-8213-9872-2https://hdl.handle.net/10986/15768Despite extremely difficult security conditions, which deteriorated markedly after 2006, the World Bank Group has commendably established and sustained a large program of support to the country. While World Bank Group strategy has been highly relevant to Afghanistan's situation, beginning in 2006 the strategies can have gone further in adapting ongoing programs to evolving opportunities and needs and in programming activities sufficient to achieve the objectives of the pillars in those strategies. The Bank Group's direct financial assistance has been augmented effectively by analytic and advisory activities and donor coordination through the Afghanistan reconstruction trust fund. Knowledge services have been an important part of Bank Group support and have demonstrated the value of strategic analytical work, even in areas where the Bank Group may opt out of direct project financing. To enhance program effectiveness, the evaluation recommends that the World Bank Group help the government develop a comprehensive, long-term human resources strategy for the civilian sectors; focus on strategic analytical work in sectors that are high priorities for the government; assist in the development of local government institutions and, in the interim, support the development of a viable system for service delivery at subnational levels; assist in transforming the national solidarity program into a more sustainable financial and institutional model to consolidate its gains; help strengthen the regulatory environment for private sector investment; and scale up International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) support to the private sector.en-USCC BY 3.0 IGOAccess to educationaccessibilityACCOUNTABILITYAccountingADBAdministration Reformadministrative reformAdvisory ServicesAdvisory Workagricultural sectoranti-corruptionassassinationbalance sheetBank managementbanking sectorbasic needsborrowerbudget deficitbudget financingBusiness Advisorybusiness developmentcapacity buildingcapital costsCCcentral governmentCITIZENScivil servantsCivil Servicecivil societyCivil society organizationscivil warclean watercoalitionscollapseCommunications TechnologyCommunistCommunity DevelopmentconfidenceconstitutioncorruptionCouncilsCrisescritical importancedecentralizationdemocratic electionsDevelopment AssistanceDevelopment BankDevelopment Corporationdistance learningdonor fundingdonor fundsdonor resourcesEconomic activityeconomic empowermenteconomic growtheconomic stabilityEmploymentempowerment of womenenrollmentethnic groupexclusionexecutionexpenditureexternal financeFinance Managementfinancial assistanceFinancial Managementfinancial marketsFinancial Sectorfinancial supportfiscal situationforeign aidForeign direct investmentforeign policyGenderGender Equalitygender equitygender gapsGender IndicatorsGender Inequalitygender issuesGender mainstreaminggovernance challengesgovernance environmentgovernance institutionsgovernance issuesgovernment agenciesgovernment leadershipgovernment ministriesgovernment officialsgovernment ownershipgrowth pathGuarantee AgencyHealth Serviceshouseholdshousinghuman resourcehuman resourceshuman rightsincomeinfant mortalityInflationInformation SystemInformation TechnologyInitial Investmentsinstitution buildinginstitutional arrangementsinstitutional developmentinstitutional frameworkinstitutional reforminsurgencyinternational communityinternational conferencesInternational DevelopmentInternational Financeinternational supportInvestment Climateinvestment opportunitiesjusticelabor marketland rightslatrineslawsleadershiplegitimacylevels of governmentlimited accessliving standardsLocal Governancelocal governmentlocal government institutionslocal government structureslocal governmentsmainstreaming genderMediaMFIMicrofinanceMicrofinance institutionMinistries of FinanceMinistry of Financemultilateral institutionsNational DevelopmentNationsnatural resourcesnongovernmental organizationsnutritionoperating expendituresopportunities for womenoutreachParliamentpolitical economypresidencyprimary educationprimary schoolprivate investmentPrivate sector developmentprivate sector investmentprivate sector investmentsProcurementProcurement Lawproperty rightsPublic Administrationpublic administration reformPublic expenditurepublic expenditure managementPublic FinancePublic Healthpublic investmentsPublic ProcurementPublic SectorPublic Sector Governancepublic servicespublic spendingrefugeeRefugeesregulatory frameworkRehabilitationrepresentativesresource mobilizationRevenue collectionrule of lawRural Accesssavingsservice deliverysmall farmerssocial capitalSocial Developmentsocial empowermentSocial protectionsocial servicesstate institutionssubnational governmentssubnational levelssupport for investmenttechnical assistancetransparencyTransportTrust FundsunemploymentUnionUrban DevelopmentvillagevillagesWater SupplyyouthWorld Bank10.1596/978-0-8213-9872-2