Concerns over the humanitarian effort in Afghanistan have been expressed by MPs.

International development secretary Clare Short told the Commons on Wednesday that the effects of a massive earthquake were still being felt by a country that had been wrecked by decades of war.

The earthquake had cost more than 800 lives and Short painted a grim picture of daily life.

"Some areas of the country are still inaccessible. The latest estimate by the United Nations and the interim Afghan administration is that approximately nine million people including a million displaced people will be in need of humanitarian assistance this year," the secretary of state said.

The government would be giving £60 million in aid to Afghanistan, she revealed, but the biggest problem was getting the money to where it was most needed.

Efforts were underway to reduce the amount of heroin poppies being grown in Afghanistan.

"The interim administration has declared that no poppies should be planted but the job is both to eradicate the crop and provide alternative livelihoods for the people. We've learned this across the world. Otherwise they will keep planting because they have no other chance. We are working very hard to try and provide them with that chance," Short said.

Caroline Spelman, the Conservative international development spokesman, called on the government to ensure that repatriating Afghan refugees would only happen when it was in the best interest of refugees, given the lack of housing.

"It's not for me, for her or for anyone else to tell the Afghan refugees when it is right for them to go home. I think we should facilitate their choices," Short answered.

Jenny Tonge, the Liberal Democrat international development spokeswoman, urged the government to reconsider its aid programme to Southern Sudan so it included primary education provision.

The minister said it was not practical, given the current situation in the region.

"It's pretending you can do development around an on-going war," replied Short.