Evaluation of World Bank Programs in Afghanistan 2002-11 (Independent Evaluation Group Studies)

Security conditions pose a formidable challenge to Afghanistan's development and external partner support. Afghanistan has undergone a very tangible deterioration in security since 2006, including a spike in civilian casualties. This has affected the World Bank Group s work through increased risks to staff, restrictions on movement, further constraints on supervision, and additional measures to deal with safety. Despite the extremely difficult context, the World Bank Group has commendably established and sustained a large program of support to the country.

In this evaluation, the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) assesses the relevance and effectiveness of World Bank Group support to Afghanistan and some of the key risks to sustainability of development outcomes. The evaluation covers the period fiscal 2002 11 and aims to inform implementation of the fiscal 2012–14 Interim Strategy Note and the preparation of the subsequent Country Assistance Strategy.

Following IEG's approach to evaluating Bank Group programs in fragile and conflict-affected states, the standard methodology for country program evaluations has been applied to Afghanistan. Emphasis has been placed on learning lessons to strengthen the Bank Group program in Afghanistan and inform programs in other fragile and conflict-affected states.