Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan
Afghanistan was once a country rich with culture, and agriculture, proud of its place in history and confident in its future.
Today it is one of the poorest, most desperate countries on earth.
In the last 30 years Afghanistan has suffered from a ruthless Soviet invasion, a prolonged civil war, a devastating drought and the ravages of the brutal Taliban rule.
After the defeat of the Taliban in 2001, Afghan leaders appealed for international help to rebuild their country and their lives.
Canada and other members of NATO through the UN answered the call.
Aid flooded into Afghanistan in the form of emergency relief programs and the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force.
When elections were held in 2004, Canadians worked closely with the international community to monitor the election process and ensure its success.
Afghanistan’s newly elected President Hamid Karzai and his democratic government then requested continued support from NATO and UN members.
International commitment was formally renewed in 2006 under the terms of the five-year Afghanistan Compact.
Canada’s original aid commitment to 2011 has almost doubled to 1.9 billion dollars.
And Canada has renewed its focus to concentrate focus on six targeted priorities:
- Security in Kandahar
- Basic services such as education and water in Kandahar
- Humanitarian assistance to the needy in Kandahar
- Improved management of the Afghan-Pakistan border
- Stronger national institutions and elections processes
- Afghan-led reconciliation efforts
Ending the insurgency in Kandahar will be critical to the viability of the Afghan government and its ability to respond to the needs of its citizens in this province. Needs such as education, economic development and basic humanitarian aid.
Over the next three years, Canada’s efforts in Kandahar will be highlighted by three signature initiatives that address such needs:
- Repairing the Dahla Dam to provide a secure water source to Kandaharis and generate 10,000 jobs
- Building and rehabilitating 50 schools in key districts of Kandahar, and training 3,000 teachers
- Becoming the world’s largest international donor to polio eradication efforts reaching more than 7 million Afghan children, including approximately 350,000 in Kandahar
These initiatives will build on the hard-won gains that have already been achieved in the province thanks to the concerted efforts of Canada’s Provincial Reconstruction Team – together with those of other donors and partners – which are producing results in ways that have helped gain the trust and respect of Afghan citizens.
This kind of progress is all the more essential because Afghanistan’s future is at a critical crossroads.
Canadians, their government and NGOs at home and in Afghanistan, along with other NATO members and the United Nations, need to continue working together for real long-term results.
It is in all of our interests to see Afghanistan once again take the path to become a self-reliant and viable state.
It's a journey that begins in Kandahar.
