Canada to continue humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Secretary General Human Rights Wing of International Development Department of Canada, Hunter McGill has said that besides mines sweeping programmes, Ottawa would continue humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in education and health sectors.

In an interview with the VOA, McGill said that the government of Canada places a huge emphasis on land mines action both in mines sweeping and assistance to the maimed people and keeping them aware of the threat of the mines. He said that they also help mine detecting projects. He added that such assistance is being given to the United Nations and other organizations working for mines clearing in Afghanistan. He went on to say that they have expanded the scope of humanitarian aid programme in recognition of the difficult circumstances in Afghanistan so that activities that does not fall within the humanitarian programme like education and health and civic affairs are included in it. The reason is that Canada cannot resume its previous development programmes due to fighting in Afghanistan.

McGill who also attended last week meeting of the donor countries in Canada said that the meeting noted that in some cases, there been progress on important issues relating to human rights and gender in Afghanistan. The meeting, he said, expressed pleasure over it but also said that there are still some major human rights issues in Afghanistan particularly the continuation of war is the matter of great concern because common people fall prey to the attacks, which is violation of international human rights. He said that the meeting decided to discuss these issues with both the warring factions.

McGill said that the participants of the meeting were unanimous to continue humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. He hoped that they would further expand their programmes in the areas where peace prevails. The humanitarian aid would be supplied to those as well who remained deprived of it like Panjsher, he said.

He was of the view that UN sanctions would not have adverse effects on humanitarian aid. The impact of the sanctions is very limited and very targeted, he said adding that coincidentally there has been increase in price of food commodities in Afghanistan when the sanctions were imposed. He was of the view that the price hike might be the result of restrictions imposed by the new regime in Pakistan because Islamabad is concerned about the shortage of wheat in its own country. The UN sanctions and Pakistan restrictions were imposed simultaneously and that his why, these had great impact.

McGill said that the Canada meeting also decided to hold talks with the Pakistan authorities to ask them to reopen the border with Afghanistan. When asked why the United Nations or World Food Programme are not extending help with regard to wheat supplies and reduction in its price in Afghanistan, McGill said that the UN and WFP programmes are aimed at assisting only the most deserving people like widows. He said that another important issue that came under discussion in Canada meeting was planning a bid for a transition way from relief to more development activities and investment in education because education is very important for the future of the country and both the boys and girls should get education. He said that this issue is of great importance for the countries providing assistance to Afghanistan.

McGill who has recently visited Kabul said that he was pleased to see schools in Kabul where parents were much interested in sending the childfree. That is why, they are optimistic this year as compared to last year, he said. He added that Taliban are not opposed to it and support foreign aid in education sector provided these are properly arranged. He said that at present, work is underway for reconstruction of Kabul city. He said that people could not visit the areas where he was taken to visit one year ago due to presence of large scale mines but the mines have now been defused. This is very important step as people can now visit these areas to reconstruct their homes. He said that large number of buildings, schools and markets in Kabul have badly been ruined in organizational war and its reconstruction needs huge resources. He said that it seems that schools were the special targets of rocket and other weapons attacks. He added that the representatives of donor and relief agencies are discussing as to what they can do for reconstruction of these schools.

The donor countries are giving priority to the education issues in the coming year and hope that they would reach agreement with the Taliban for revival of the education system in Afghanistan. He said that desired results could be achieved within short span of time if authorities in Afghanistan, donor agencies and common Afghans work jointly.