Parliamentary Committee Notes: International response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
The international community is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis and deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan.
The Taliban are unwilling and unable to meet the basic needs of the Afghan people.
Canada is supporting the Afghan people through international assistance, delivering basic needs services in the areas of health, education and women's and girls' empowerment, as well as humanitarian assistance.
Supplementary messages
Canada continues to collaborate closely with allies and partners in coordinating efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Canada is deeply concerned by the potential implications of the situation in Afghanistan for regional and global stability and security as well as the troubling reports of grave human rights violations, especially against women and girls.
Canada is a top five donor to the multi-donor Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund which provides support to health, education and livelihoods.
Background
Diplomatic Engagement
Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. David Sproule, Canada's Special Representative for Afghanistan, is based in Doha where he coordinates with allies on a joint international response to the crisis in Afghanistan and engages informally with Taliban officials when required. Canada's embassy in Kabul has been closed since August 2021. Canada is actively engaged in international diplomatic efforts on Afghanistan, including as chair of the New York-based UN Group of Friends of Afghanistan.
Doha Process
In April 2023, the UN Security Council appointed a Special Coordinator to conduct an Independent Assessment and present a "roadmap" towards reintegrating Afghanistan into the international community on conditions that human rights and representative governance are restored. As part of this process, the UN has convened conferences in Doha with Special Representatives and Envoys. Canada is committed to advocating for an inclusive process where Afghan women and civil society have a seat at the table.
Since the Doha III meeting in July 2024, the Taliban has issued a new decree outlawing women's voices and has publicly banned UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett from returning to Afghanistan. It is not clear when a "Doha IV" might be scheduled.
Human Rights
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is actively engaged in Afghanistan, and is tasked with, among other objectives, monitoring and reporting on human rights and gender equality. The UN Human Rights Council also named a Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan whose mandate is to provide detailed reporting on the situation on the ground. In August, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett was barred by the Taliban from entering Afghanistan, after being accused of "spreading propaganda."
Humanitarian Assistance
Canada remains committed to supporting the humanitarian response in Afghanistan and has continued to deliver humanitarian assistance through trusted and experienced humanitarian partners. Canada allocated over $249M in humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan since 2021. In 2024, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan requires $3B to support 23.7 million people in need.
Basic Needs Assistance
Canada and likeminded donors further support the the provision of services to meet basic needs in Afghanistan. Despite the difficult operating environment, Canada has spent over $112M since the Taliban takeover in 2021, in sectors such as health, education and women's and girls' rights and empowerment.
Donor Priorities
Notwithstanding some predictable geo-strategic divisions, there is general agreement within the international community on the importance of supporting humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women's and girls' rights; stability, countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and counterterrorism. Support to basic needs services continues but reduced funding is forcing the donor community to explore additional funding streams and push for more accountability from the Taliban in supporting these services themselves.
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