PESHAWAR, Aug 24: Two humanitarian organizations — CARE Afghanistan and Mercy Corps — have voiced their concern at the implications of US President George Bush’s recent veto on a $5.1 billion supplemental aid bill that included $174 million for Afghanistan rebuilding and relief.

The veto appears to be a step in the opposite direction, despite continued calls from NGOs, the UN and the Afghan Transitional Authority for the international community to accelerate the release of funding for the war-torn country, a joint press release of the relief bodies says.

“The US has created high expectations that it will play a leading role in the reconstruction of the country, but this decision comes as a real shock,” said CARE Afghanistan Director Paul Barker.

The US government had made significant contributions to Afghans relief and rehabilitation, but its efforts fell far short of George Bush’s espoused Marshall Plan for Afghanistan, he added.

Anita Anastacio, the Kabul representative for Mercy Corps, said the decision had come at a critical time as many international organisations were gearing up to meet the needs of Afghans during the winter.