Canada is among the world's top donors to Afghanistan, which is our largest bilateral aid recipient. Canada supports a wide array of development projects in Afghanistan, including three signature projects that represent large-scale, significant contributions to rebuilding the country. The signature projects are on-going, as well as other development projects in the areas of Basic Services, Humanitarian Assistance, and National Institutions.
Canada supports three signature projects in Afghanistan, two focused in Kandahar (rehabilitating the Dahla Dam and its irrigation system, and building and repairing 50 schools in Kandahar province) and a third project with a national emphasis (eradicating polio).
Repairing the Dahla Dam and its irrigation system is one of Canada’s three signature projects in Afghanistan. Through this project, 80 percent of Kandaharis who live along the Arghandab irrigation system will have access to a secure water supply to stimulate agricultural production. Having this project underway is an important step in the economic development of Kandahar province and Afghanistan. Learn more
Through Canada’s Education signature project, Canada is building, expanding and repairing 50 schools in targeted districts in Kandahar province. Learn more
Through the Polio Eradication signature project, more than seven million children across Afghanistan receive polio vaccinations, including 400,000 in Kandahar province. Polio vaccination campaigns occur regularly throughout Afghanistan at a national level, to ensure that polio is eradicated from the country, but also at a provincial level in areas where there is a higher rate of incidence of the disease. Learn more