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Earthquakes

Canada Evaluates Aid to Afghanistan Amid Deadly Earthquakes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canada is assessing ways to assist Afghanistan after two devastating earthquakes, a challenge made more complicated by the country's Taliban government. The disaster has put a strain on Afghanistan's resources, which are already limited due to a sharp drop in foreign aid. While Canada doesn't directly provide aid to the Taliban, it has worked through humanitarian organizations in the past. Ottawa has the power to authorize exceptions that allow humanitarian assistance, but doing so requires a delicate balance between providing aid and supporting a listed terrorist entity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Taliban has appealed for international aid after the earthquakes, which have killed over 1,400 people and injured over 3,100.
  • Canada doesn't provide direct aid to the Taliban but has worked through humanitarian organizations in the past, including the United Nations World Food Program.
  • The federal government has the power to authorize exceptions that allow humanitarian assistance, but this requires a balance between providing aid and supporting a listed terrorist entity.
  • Humanitarian organizations, such as UNICEF Canada, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Save the Children Canada, are on the ground in Afghanistan and are in discussions with the Canadian government about providing aid.
  • The Taliban's ban on women attending medical education institutions will likely worsen the impact on women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by the disaster.
  • Humanitarian aid is being mobilized, but more assistance is needed, with Canada's current aid totaling around £1 million ($1.35 million USD) and other governments, such as Britain, India, and China, also pledging help.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,400 people have been killed, and over 3,100 injured in the earthquakes.
  • The disaster has put a strain on Afghanistan's resources, which are already limited due to a sharp drop in foreign aid.
  • £1 million ($1.35 million USD) – the amount allocated by Britain to support the efforts of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan.
  • 1,000 tents – the number delivered by India to Afghanistan.
  • 15 tonnes – the amount of food supplies sent by India to Kunar, with more relief to be sent on Tuesday.
  • 7 decades – the amount of time UNICEF has worked in Afghanistan.
  • 1 million – the number of people who have been displaced by the earthquakes in Afghanistan.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • The Globe and Mail
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Save the Children Canada
  • Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) Canada
  • UNICEF Canada

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