Conflict prevention, grassroots peacebuilding best way to help Afghan people

We cannot turn our backs on the Afghan people, and the future of Afghanistan. We can amplify our support through funding locally run agencies, that have predated the Taliban, and are built for the long run.

In December, International Development Harjit Sajjan Minister pledged up to $56-million for emergency humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. However, the Government of Canada was clear in its announcement that the funds will only be going through the multilateral channels, with no opportunities for locally run organizations. Though the aid is an encouraging development, building lasting peace in Afghanistan goes far beyond humanitarian aid at this level, write Grace Nissley, Rebekah Sears, and Brian Dyck. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY GRACE NISSLEY, REBEKAH SEARS, AND BRIAN DYCK

February 10, 2022

Mohammad Zaid has been working in peacebuilding in Afghanistan for nine years. The current situation weighs heavy on him and his work. “It feels,” says Zaid, whose name we are not using for safety and security reasons, “like we’ve gone from driving to reverse. As a peacebuilder, I’ve alwa...

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