Canada Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan Following Devastating Earthquakes

The Canadian government is providing $3-million in humanitarian assistance to help people directly affected by recent earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan. The funds will be allocated to organizations working within the country, including the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, CARE Canada, and Islamic Relief Canada. The assistance will support vital services such as clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter, essential non-food items, and health services.

Key Takeaways:

• The Canadian government will provide more than $36-million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in 2025 through NGO partners, including the United Nations, Red Cross, and other non-governmental organizations.
• The $3-million in humanitarian assistance will be allocated to organizations working within Afghanistan, supporting vital services such as clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter, essential non-food items, and health services.
• The World Food Programme will receive $1.3-million to scale up its response, which includes food supplies and logistical services.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross will be allocated $1-million, while CARE Canada and Islamic Relief Canada will each receive $350,000.
• Shanti Cosentino, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State for International Development, stated that Canada does not provide aid to the Taliban but has worked through humanitarian organizations on the ground in Afghanistan.
• The earthquakes have caused widespread damage and destruction in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, resulting in an estimated 2,205 deaths and 3,640 injuries.
• Nearly half a million people have been affected by the earthquakes, with about half of them being children, according to Unicef estimates.
• The earthquakes are just the latest chapter in the difficulties that Afghanistan is facing, which Save the Children International director Samira Sayed Rahman called "one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world".

Statistics:

• Estimated 2,205 deaths and 3,640 injuries as a result of the earthquakes.
• Nearly half a million people affected by the earthquakes, with about half of them being children.
• $3-million in humanitarian assistance provided by the Canadian government to help people directly affected by the earthquakes.
• $1.3-million allocated to the World Food Programme to scale up its response.
• $1-million allocated to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
• $350,000 each allocated to CARE Canada and Islamic Relief Canada.

Sources:

• Globe and Mail.
• Reuters.
• Unicef.