video transcript

Afghan citizens say they are fed up with corruption. On the streets of Kabul Sunday residents urge their government to tackle corruption. They also want to see the 16 billion dollars in aid pledged at a conference reach the people. (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) LOCAL RESIDENT, PARWAIZ ALAVI, SAYING: "I am not sure that 16 billion dollars of aid to Afghanistan will reach the people. Japan has given great assistance in the past, as well as other nations, but there is little to show for that money so far.." On Sunday major donors meeting in Tokyo pledged to give Afghanistan $16 billion in through 2015. Much will depend on how the government responds says former economy minister Mohammad Amin Farhang. (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MOHAMMAD AMIN FARHANG, FORMER AFGHAN ECONOMY MINISTER, SAYING: "Until the Afghan government takes practical steps in fighting corruption, the international community will not just accept promises of tackle graft. There is no doubt that 16 billion dollars has been pledged to Afghanistan, but there can be a long time between a pledge and its payment. In the meantime, they will monitor what the government will do to bring reform." International donors provided $35 billion in aid to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2010. But the return on that investment has been mixed and the country remains one of the five poorest in the world. Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters