PRT Mandate
PRTs in Afghanistan are key instruments through which the international community delivers assistance at the provincial and district level. As a result of their provincial focus and civilian and military resources, PRTs have a unique mandate to improve security, support good governance, and enhance provincial development. The combination of international civilian and military resources also allows the PRT to have wide latitude to implement their mandate.
A PRT generally covers one province in Afghanistan, but some cover more than one. There are currently 26 PRTs operating in Afghanistan. PRTs seek to establish an environment that is secure and stable enough for the operation of international and Afghan civilian agencies to provide development support. Due to their unique composition, PRTs are also able to deliver development and support to less secure areas. USAID’s programs attempt to work with PRTs to deliver services in less secure or underserved areas of Afghanistan.
PRTs have a broad mandate that covers the following areas:
- They engage key government, military, tribal, village, and religious leaders in the provinces, while monitoring and reporting on important political, military and reconstruction developments.
- They work with Afghan authorities to provide security, including support for key events such as the Constitutional Loya Jirga, presidential and parliamentary elections, and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militia forces.
- They assist in the deployment and mentoring of Afghan national army and police units assigned to the provinces.
- In partnership with the Afghan Government, the U.N., other donors and NGOs, PRTs provide needed development and humanitarian assistance.
USAID Role
USAID’s programs work with PRTs to deliver services in less secure or underserved areas of Afghanistan. USAID has personnel in 19 PRTs across Afghanistan. As USAID’s primary representative in the provinces, field program officers monitor all U.S. reconstruction and development efforts in the area of responsibility of the PRT and implement PRT-specific programming. They work to build relationships with local leaders, identify local needs, and report on significant developments. USAID field program officers working in PRTs generall have the following responsbilities:
- To engage key government, military, tribal, village, and religious leaders in the provinces, regarding local development priorities and USAID programs.
- To Monitor current USAID projects and provide information about national programs to local officials as requested;
- To identify, coordinate, implement, and monitor completion of Local Governance and Community Development projects;
- Support the visits of USAID technical and management staff from headquarters to the field setting up appropriate contacts with local officials on these visits and working with the PRT to provide logistical support as needed.
PRT Structure
Since October 2006, the PRTs are part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. There are currently 26 PRTs in Afghanistan, 12 of which are under US command.
ISAF Multinational PRTs include:
Baghlan (Hungary), Chaghcharan (Lithuania), Fayzabad (Germany), Herat (Italy), Kunduz (Germany), Mazari Sharif (Sweden), Maymana (Norway), Qala-e Naw (Spain), Kandahar (Canada), Lashkar Gah (United Kingdom), Tirin Kowt (Netherlands), Wardak (Turkey), Parwan (US/South Korea), and Baymian (New Zealand)
US-Led PRTs include:
Asadabad, Gardez, Ghazni, Jalalabad, Khowst, Mehtarlam, Farah, Qalat, Sharana, Nurestan, and Panjshir.
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