Development

With a pledge of $1.9 billion for reconstruction and development over ten years, Canada is one of the world’s top donors to Aghanistan, our largest bilateral aid recipient.

Canada’s development assistance is focused on programs that foster local ownership and build Afghan capacity. Our aim is toequip Afghanistan with the tools and expertise needed to sustain present and future generations.

Canada’s development efforts in Kandahar province are being significantly increased, in line with our objective to build a Kandahar that contributes to the development of a viable Afghan state. In addition, our development program in Afghanistan will be highlighted by three signature initiatives: the Dahla Dam, polio eradication, and education.

Canada’s assistance is delivered through United Nation agencies and a network of trusted Canadian and international organizations. Their efforts, which place a premium on increasing local capacity to deliver core services to citizens and promoting economic growth, are making a real difference in a number of areas, including:

• access to education (particularly for women and girls): helping to build and rehabilitate schools, training teachers, and supporting adult literacy and vocational training programs.
• job-oriented economic growth: supporting community development and infrastructure projects to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
• humanitarian assistance and health: contributing to the eradication of polio, improving child and maternal health, meeting basic needs, and supporting mine awareness training and mine clearance.

By focussing on building the Government of Afghanistan’s ability to deliver these services, Canada’s development program will have a sustainable, long-term impact on the lives of Afghans and contribute to strengthening Afghanistan’s public institutions system.