Currently, there are 27 Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) operating throughout Afghanistan.

A lead nation retains responsibility for a PRT but each one may also contain military and civilian personnel from other nations. Their military components come under the ISAF command and are coordinated by the relevant Regional Command.

Enabling a secure environment

Each PRT has three core tasks:

• to support the extension of the authority of the Afghan central government
• to support reform of the security sector
• to facilitate development and reconstruction.

The primary role of the military personnel in each PRT is to provide an enabling security environment in which the authority of the Afghan Government can be extended, and development and reconstruction work carried out.

Military personnel do this by patrolling and liaising with the local population, they are also in charge of directing assistance to the civilian elements, in particular at the levels of transport, medical assistance and engineering.

With a secure environment in place, civilian personnel can then work closely with the Afghan government and with the military to provide a seamless package of assistance, leading on political, economic, humanitarian and social aspects

Improving infrastructure and freedom of movement

Each PRT is tailored to the prevailing security situation, socio-economic conditions, terrain, and reach of the central government.

The PRT model has shown itself to be highly effective. PRTs have brought real benefits to the people in northern and western Afghanistan and in the south they are starting to see tangible results.

Overall, the PRTs in Afghanistan are facilitating various kinds of projects:

• schools are being rebuilt with the mentoring or assistance of ISAF engineers, allowing children to resume their education;
• irrigation ditches, pipelines, reservoirs and wells are being constructed to bring water to the local population and farmers;
• infrastructure is being repaired and/or built to facilitate mobility and communication;
• local people are provided with greater access to medical assistance.

Humanitarian missions

PRTs, when requested, also assist the Afghan government and international actors with humanitarian relief. In particular, ISAF soldiers have launched several relief missions, distributing medication, food and winter supplies to help villagers cope with severe weather conditions in different parts of the country.

Establishing governance

The PRTs are also helping the Afghan Authorities strengthen the institutions required to fully establish good governance and rule of law and to promote human rights.

The PRTs' principal mission in this respect consists of building capacity, supporting the growth of governance structures and promoting an environment within which governance can improve.

100 Quick Impact Projects

The UK-led PRT in Helmand, based in Lashkar Gah, despite the challenging security environment, has implemented over 100 Quick Impact Projects aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Afghans. These projects include:

• construction of windmill-powered wells
• construction of schools
• water infrastructure works
• emergency food distribution.