WASHINGTON, Dec 20: Initial estimates of what it will cost to begin the reconstruction of Afghanistan over the next two-and-a-half-years range from US$2 to $3 billion, according to an early version of a joint preliminary estimate made by United Nations Development Programme, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

A World Bank release issued here on Thursday said quick-impact programmes to meet short-term priority needs could enable the enrolment of 1.5 million children in primary school in the next two years. Over the next six months, 100,000 food-for-work jobs could be created and water could be restored to 15,000 households on an emergency basis.

A team of about 36 staff from the WB, Asian Bank and UNDP has been working together on this preliminary needs assessment since the beginning of December. Progress on their work so far was shared in Brussels on Thursday with the donor steering group for assistance in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The conclusions will be presented at a larger ministerial meeting in Japan at the end of January for donor pledging.

The progress report for the preliminary needs assessment lays out examples of possible high-priority programmes. These include:

* mine action to maximize public safety and return land to productive use;

* a basic package of health services focused on reducing child and maternal mortality;

* an education programme to enrol in school 1.2 to 1. 5 million girls and boys;

* rapid increase of food production through irrigation and various agriculture programmes;

* increased access to safe water;

* shelter to facilitate resettlement and the development of a national urban management capacity;

* emergency energy supply and repair while restoring the existing power system;

* employment generation, both urban and rural;

* support for local-level and community schemes in water supply, roads, education and health; and

* programmes to create a conducive socio-economic environment for returning refugees.