This quarterly report gives details of the advances made by Canada on its six priorities and three signature projects in Afghanistan, together with Afghan and other partners, with a focus on progress achieved by Afghanistan’s institutions of governance.
The certified results of the September 18 election of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) were released on December 1; the Independent Election Commission (IEC) indicated that over 5.6 million votes were cast. Although 1.3 million votes were invalidated by the IEC, the election marked an important step forward in Afghanistan’s democratic development. Despite this milestone, corruption is a major impediment to improved governance. The Government of Afghanistan must move more aggressively to address this challenge.
Incidents of violence in Kandahar province decreased compared to the previous quarter, largely due to the onset of winter. Fully two thirds of Kandaharis polled indicated that they feel safe in their communities, up from 40 percent in May 2010 and 34 percent in November 2009.
Improvements in security and efforts to improve governance at the local level contributed to increased participation in shuras in Dand and Panjwayi, where Canada has been focusing its stabilization efforts. Weekly shuras were regularly drawing 80 to 90 participants, particularly elders, from a wide region, compared to 40 representatives from a more limited geographic area during the last quarter.
The Afghan National Army (ANA) increased by 11,389 to over 149,500 recruits and remains ahead of schedule to attain its growth objective of 171,600 by October 2011. The Afghan National Police (ANP) increased by 6,297 to 116,800, remaining on track to meet its objective of 134,000 by October 2011. Attrition and the ongoing professionalization of Afghan National Security Forces remain significant challenges.
Canada achieved another one of its justice targets through the completion of a series of training programs, including on fair trial standards, and leadership and management skills.
The Afghan National Customs Academy graduated its fourth class of students, for a total of 201 officers trained.
Canada’s education signature project to build, expand or repair 50 schools in Kandahar province advanced with the completion of 13 more schools, bringing the total to date to 39. Work continued on the remaining 11 schools.
Canada continued to make progress on its signature project to rehabilitate the Dahla Dam and irrigation system. Significant rehabilitation work included the removal of 200,000 cubic metres of silt from the canal system, which will contribute to improving the amount of water that reaches farmland.
Canada continued to implement its signature project to eradicate polio in Afghanistan, with three campaigns reaching over 366,000 Kandahari children. Seven new cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan, for a total of 25 cases in 2010—down from 38 cases in 2009.
