Afghanistan: What We're Accomplishing (Pt. 2)

This is part 2 of a five part mini-series on Afghanistan. Today: What we're actually accomplishing

Far too often, we hear only bad news about Canadian casualties and Taliban strongholds. Here are a few accomplishments of the UN Mission in Afghanistan, of which Canada is a part of:

• 2005 Parliamentary and Presidential elections, a force for democracy in the country and an example for the region
• The election of a President, Hamid Karzai, that the international community has faith in, which is crucially important considering the importance of the international community in Afghanistan.
• A push for gender equality – women consist of 25% of the legislature (more than Canada, who can only claim 20%). This is incredible, considering the status of women under the Taliban regime.
• Schools reopened for 5 million boys and girls and new ones constructed (In particular, the renovation of a school in Panjwaii district by Canadian forces, with plans for the renovations of more schools).
• Since 2002, the economy has grown by 17%, even excluding the poppy trade.
• Refugees are returning home, allowing much-needed professionals to fill a weak labour market.
• The employment of locals to build local infrastructure, like roads and irrigation projects, and the establishment of cash-for-work programs.
• Funding for development initiatives that will see new homes and hospitals built in Kandahar.
• Much more access to basic health care, including vaccines – more than 2,000 Afghans in the remotest areas of Kandahar province have received basic medical care because of Village Medical Outreach (VMO) visits. In addition, the VMOs also gave out medication, tools, school supplies, food, blankets, toys, carpets, and radios.
• Training of the Afghan army is going according to plan – 30,000 strong, nearly halfway to the target of 70,000 by 2009. In addition, Canadian forces are equipping local police forces with uniforms and body armour, equipment that is necessary to perform their day to day tasks.

These are just a few of the major achievements in Afghanistan made possible by the contributions of Canadian forces. It is imperative to realize that Canadians accomplish these things by maintaining the security of the region and actively combating terrorists. An aggressive combat role is necessary to fight an enemy that is trying to destabilize the region and hamper efforts to improve the living conditions of Afghanis, hoping that out of desperation, the Afghan people will turn to the Taliban once again for a measure of security. Canadians are also doing a lot of things on a local level that, while rarely reported in Canadian media, mean a lot to the Afghan people. Examples include the provision of a water-distribution system, computers and an electric generator to the University of Kandahar, and the donation of 100 bicycles to the Ministry of Education to reward students at the end of the school year.