CANADIAN ACTIVITIES IN AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS KABUL 001279 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CRS STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG NSC FOR JWOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF SUBJECT: CANADIAN ACTIVITIES IN AFGHANISTAN ¶1. Canadian contributions to rebuiling Afghanistan have been substantial both in miliatry and in development terms. The Canadian military presence in Afghanistan constitutes its largest deployment since the Korean War. In terms of aid, Canada is one of the world's top donors to Afghanistan, making it Canada's largest ever bilateral recipient of aid. ¶2. Military Contribution Not only does the Canadian military deployment to Afghanistan represent its largest since the Korean War, but Canadian sacrifice in terms all lives lost can not be overestimated. In proportion to the size of its deployment, Canada has lost more soldiers than any other country and is Canada's largest since the Korean War. Canadian efforts in Kanadahar. ¶3. Canadian Aid to Afghanistan Following the 2002 Tokyo Conference on Afghan Reconstruction, Canada responded to the Government of Afghanistan's appeal for long-term development investment by significantly blostering its commitment to the country, making it Canada's largest ever bilateral aid recipient. Canadian funding goes to support projects consistent with the three pillars of the Afghanistan Compact: security, governance and socio-economic development. For fiscal year 2006-2007, their bilateral assistance totalled more than $179 million. Of that, $49 million was disbursed in Kandahar. ¶4. Canadian projects in Afghanistan - 2006-07 Fiscal Year: a. Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Community-based Development - $50 million Includes contribution to the National Solidarity Program (NSP),the Afghan Government's primary program for community development. Other programs focus on mine cleareance, food security and alternative livelihoods. b. Democratic Development and Effective Governance - $58 million The main thrust in this area is through direct contributions to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). The ARTF supports the Afghan Government's efforts to re-establish a fully functioning and representative government system. Funding also goes to efforts to strengthen the rule of law, aid subnational governance and others. c. Role of Women and Girls in Society (including Education) - $34 million The majority of funds under this heading go to support microfinance in Afghanistan. Funds also go to assist widows, promote gender equality and girls' primary education. d. Kandahar Specific Initiatives - $38 million (note: some of the funds for the nationwide projects above are also directed to Kandahar bringing the total to $49 million for Kandahar) Highway construction, emergency food assistance and polio eradication account for the bulk of this $38 million. WOOD