Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid Karzai the President of the islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is requesting the World Bank to contribute to Afghanistan’s counter narcotics drive by helping with provision of alternative livelihoods to the affected communities.

In a phone call to the World Bank President, Mr James D Wolfensohn, the President of Afghanistan elaborated on his and the Government of Afghanistan’s determination to eradicate poppy cultivation in the country, and emphasised the need for international assistance towards this goal. The President specifically requested the World Bank to prioritise the provision of alternative livelihoods to the affected communities in its reconstruction and development assistance programmes for Afghanistan.