The book draws together expert contributions from countries across three continents – Asia, Europe and North America – which have provided external aid to Afghanistan. Using international, regional and local approaches, it highlights the importance of rebuilding sustainable communities in the midst of ongoing uncertainties. It explores the efficacy of external aid; challenges faced; the response of multilateral international agencies; the role of women in the reconstruction process; and community-based natural disaster risk management strategies. Finally, it looks at the lessons learned in the conflict reconstruction process to better prepare the country for future potential human, economic, infrastructural and institutional vulnerabilities.
Adenrele Awotona, Professor of Sustainable Urban Development in the School for the Environment, is the Founder and Director of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He was previously a Director of Studies for the British Council International Seminars ("Reconstruction after disasters") in the UK. He has also organized major international conferences (on Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Japan, etc.) and hosted a workshop for the U.S. Department of State (with participants from Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay). A stream of publications has emanated from both his research and his consultancy services.