KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Canada is weighing significant cuts to its aid for Afghanistan under the Taliban, according to an internal briefing from Global Affairs Canada. The document, obtained through access-to-information requests by the National Post, highlights diminishing strategic interests in Afghanistan as Ottawa focuses on other global crises.
Since the Taliban seized control in 2021, Canada has refused to recognize their government. Nevertheless, the country has provided $367 million in aid, mostly for humanitarian purposes. The internal briefing suggests scaling back future aid, focusing on key areas like health services, education, women’s rights, and continued humanitarian assistance.
The report acknowledges that any reduction in aid could spark controversy, especially given Canada’s long history of involvement in Afghanistan, which included over a decade of military presence and significant diplomatic efforts.
Martin Fischer, policy lead at World Vision Canada, expressed disappointment over the potential cuts, pointing out Afghanistan’s “staggering humanitarian needs.” He emphasized Canada’s moral responsibility, given its historical involvement in the country, including over $4 billion in financial aid and military operations over the past two decades.
The Taliban’s ongoing human rights violations, particularly its severe restrictions on women and girls, have made Afghanistan one of the worst places globally for female rights. Under the Taliban, women have been denied access to education, employment, and basic freedoms. UN experts and rights groups have described the Taliban’s treatment of women as a system of apartheid, designed to subjugate them purely based on their gender.
Despite the oppressive conditions, Canada has continued channeling millions in humanitarian aid through international bodies like the World Bank’s Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund. However, there is growing concern that the Taliban’s interference has obstructed humanitarian operations.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 999 incidents of obstruction occurred in 2023, including restrictions on staff movement and the arrest of aid workers. Humanitarian operations faced major setbacks, with 659 programs suspended due to these interferences, marking a 68% increase compared to 2022.
A Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has raised similar concerns. A SIGAR report revealed that the Taliban interference with aid operations has increased by 32% between January and May 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022.
As Afghanistan grapples with both a collapsing economy and a worsening humanitarian crisis, any reduction in Canadian aid could have significant repercussions. Canada’s aid for the 2024-25 fiscal year is already expected to drop to $25 million, down by $10 million from previous years.
Currently, over half of Afghanistan’s population urgently requires humanitarian assistance, with an estimated 23.7 million people in need. Recent natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, have only worsened the already dire conditions.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are struggling with one of the worst funding shortfalls in years. The UN’s $3.07 billion appeal for Afghanistan remains critically underfunded, with only 25% of the required funds raised so far. Experts stress that while humanitarian assistance is essential, a long-term, coordinated international response is crucial to addressing the crisis in Afghanistan.
