Provincial reconstruction team: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A provincial reconstruction team (PRT) is a group of forty to eighty civilians and military specialists who perform small reconstruction projects or provide security for others involved in aid work. PRTs are backed by national and international security forces.

A PRT includes a military component, aid agencies, civilian contractors and sometimes police agencies.

There are currently nine PRTs in Afghan cities, Herat, Bamiyan, Kunduz, Mazar-i-Sharif, Gardez, Parwan, Jalalabad and Asadabad. Four were operated by the United States and one each was operated by Britain, Germany and New Zealand. Included in their responsibilities is to curb violence ahead of the elections scheduled for June, 2004.

Canadian forces provide similar services under the name Civil-Military Co-operation.