Question Period Note: Canada's Humanitarian Assistance to the Situation in Afghanistan

Afghanistan remains a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 18 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance.

• Canada remains concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and we will continue to do all that we can to support the Afghan people.
• Since 2014, Canada has allocated almost $180 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including the recent announcement of $50 million in support to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
• Canada remains in active communication with our humanitarian partners to understand how best to support vulnerable Afghans.

Prior to the Taliban takeover in August, 18.4 million people in Afghanistan were in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The scale of humanitarian needs is increasing, and it is anticipated that as many as 24 million Afghans could require humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cut across all sectors, with food and nutrition, displacement and protection needs of particular concern. Needs have typically been driven by conflict, drought, COVID-19, food insecurity and displacement. The ongoing economic challenges inside Afghanistan risk further exacerbating the vulnerability of those in need of assistance.

Canada has supported a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, including the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance.

Since 2014, Canada has allocated a total of $179.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. This includes $27.3 million in humanitarian assistance to experienced humanitarian partners in 2021 prior to the takeover to help meet the needs of returnees, and conflict and disaster-affected people inside Afghanistan. It also includes the $50 million in additional humanitarian assistance announced on August 26 to support the humanitarian response for 15 months, both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries.

None