AfghanPublicProtectionForceSignsItsFirst SecurityContractsWithInternationalNGO

FORIMMEDIATERELEASE MARCH9,2012 CONTACT:MELISSAPRICE 5713661596 PRESS@IRDDC.ORG

ARLINGTON, VA International Relief & Development (IRD), a major implementer of U.S. foreign assistance and a leader in the international stabilization and development community, and the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) this week signed the first contracts transitioning security services from private companies to the APPF. IRD welcomes this important transition to Afghan-led security services, said Arthur Keys, IRD President and CEO. This is a positive step for the government of Afghanistan, and we look forward to working with the APPF as we both work toward a more stable and secure future for the people of Afghanistan. At an event on Wednesday, the Afghan Minister of Interior Bismullah Khan Mohammedi and APPF Deputy Minister Jemal Abdul Naser Sidiqi signed three contracts with IRD, one with Louis Berger - Black and Veatch, and another with Afghan Fleet and Group Services. The IRD contracts will cover security protection for the Southern Regional Agricultural Development (S-RAD) program, the Afghan Civilian Assistance Program (ACAP II), and the Engineering, Quality Assurance and Logistical Support (EQUALS) program. "The work of the APPF serves as a strong example of the Afghan Government taking control of its future, said Larry Sampler, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID and its implementing partners like IRD have been working hard to adapt their operations to the new Afghan security regulations. And the new IRD security agreements represent both the success of increased Afghan capacity building and a strong U.S commitment to transition to Afghan-led programming."

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INTERNATIONALRELIEF&DEVELOPMENT |1621NORTHKENTSTREET,4THFLOOR|ARLINGTON, VA22209 T 703.248.0161 |F 703.248.0194 |WWW.IRD.ORG

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai had banned private security companies in favor of the APPF taking over security responsibilities in the country. The target date for the APPF to begin taking responsibility for protecting international development projects in Afghanistan was March 2012. For more information on IRD and its programs in Afghanistan, visit www.ird.org, and visit the IRD Voices blog to read first-hand accounts from IRD staff in the field. You can also stay up-to-date on IRDs latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter (@ird_voices), Flickr, or YouTube.
IRD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization responsible for implementing relief, stabilization, and development programs worldwide. IRDs mission is to reduce the suffering of the worlds most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. Specializing in meeting the needs of communities emerging from conflict or natural disaster, IRD partners with donors, local organizations, and many others to deliver sustainable services in agriculture, governance, health, and infrastructure. For more information, visit IRD.org. ###

INTERNATIONALRELIEF&DEVELOPMENT |1621NORTHKENTSTREET,4THFLOOR|ARLINGTON, VA22209 T 703.248.0161 |F 703.248.0194 |WWW.IRD.ORG