Canada's Engagement in Afghanistan, Report to Parliament, September 2009

In accordance with the March 2008 motion passed by the House of Commons, we are honoured to place before Parliament this sixth quarterly report on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan. This report addresses events during the period July 1 to September 30, 2009. Read the report.

Ambassador Visits Community-Based School

Education is a key priority for Canada in Afghanistan. Canada funds a variety of education projects throughout the country, including an approach to targeting children who fall through the cracks of Afghanistan’s formal education system. Read about the visit.

What's New

Comedian Mike McDonald and singer/songwriter Melanie Dekker entertaining Canadian troops in Kabul

Chief of the Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk paid his annual Christmas visit to Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, accompanied by Canadian comedian Mike MacDonald and singer/songwriter Melanie Dekker. Read more on the show.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women marked in Kabul

As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was marked in Afghanistan on November 25, a series of ceremonies were held in Kabul to raise public awareness and shed light on the plight of Afghan women, who are all too often the victims of domestic violence and abuse. Read the full story.

Operation HYDRA: Joint Canadian-Afghan force clears insurgents from Panjwayii villages

At daylight on 15 November 2009, a joint Canadian-Afghan force launched a major operation to clear insurgents out of the Panjwayii District villages of Hajji Baba and Nakhonay. Read more on this story.

Operation HYDRA: A sapper’s first experience

"On 12 November 2009, I started to pack all my kit for my first operation. My search partner and I packed our bags with everything we would need for Operation HYDRA – the first major operation of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1PPCLI) Battle Group — with the mission to clear insurgents out of two villages, Nakhonay and Hajji Baba." Read more on this story.

1/205 Afghan National Army (ANA) gets 38 new combat medics

Under a warm sun, 38 Afghan soldiers proudly received certificates of achievement for successfully completing the Combat Medic Course on 19 November 2009. The 38 soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 205 Corps, Afghan National Army (1/205 ANA) spent eight weeks learning life-saving medical techniques from three medical mentors from the Canadian Forces, and preventive health measures from U.S. Army medics. Read more on this story from the field.

Fit to fight starts within

There’s more to being “fit to fight” than aerobic capacity, flexibility and muscle power. A big part of sustainable physical fitness starts inside the body, with resistance to disease — especially when a pandemic such as H1N1 influenza has been identified. Read more on this story from the field.

Afghan National Army Holds Second Graduation Of Canadian-Sponsored Junior Officer Staff Course

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, congratulates the Afghan National Army (ANA) on the graduation of 39 students from its second Junior Officer Staff Course (JOSC) in Kabul. Read about the graduation.

CIVPOL Diaries: My first glimpse of Afghanistan

"Today was the first time I left the confines of Camp Nathan Smith since I arrived two weeks ago. I was part of a motorcade off to visit Afghan police headquarters in Kandahar, dressed in full gear... half military, half police. Protection was a must." Read more on her story.

Video: The Dand District Centre

This is the Dand District Centre, located in Kandahar province. Seven months after the deadly March 30, 2009 attack that killed nine people, the centre was rebuilt and has now reopened. Watch the video

Royal Canadian Dragoons deploy to Afghanistan

"After 14 months of training, preparation and waiting, B Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons, has finally begun deployment of troops into Afghanistan with Task Force 3-09. A three-hour bus ride to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton took us to our first of four plane rides."
Read more on this story.

Correctional Service Canada Commissioner Don Head concludes successful visit to Kandahar and Kabul, Afghanistan

"During my recent visit, I had the opportunity to visit correctional institutions and meet my counterparts within the Government of Afghanistan." Read more on the visit.

Afghanistan - Hidden Treasures Exhibition

This acclaimed exhibition showcases treasures that miraculously survived war and chaos in Afghanistan. These stunning objects, from the National Museum in Kabul, were hidden for 20 years by a group of brave Afghans. Today, they shine anew, unveiling the secrets of a rich and diverse ancient culture. Read more about the exhibit.

In keeping with Canada’s priorities on Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Challenge is an initiative that matches the funds raised by Canadian organizations, who are directly involved in the development effort in Afghanistan. By making small-scale donations over the Internet, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by their Government, Canadians are able to contribute to the development project of their choice, led and facilitated by Canadian partners.

How can I help Afghan women become independent and support their families?
Fund a scholarship for Afghan women

How can I help Afghans earn a living? Finance a micro-loan

How can I help build a school?
Support children's education

Minister Cannon Builds on Relations with NATO Allies and Partners

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, concluded his participation in a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels that addressed a number of key security issues. Read more about the meeting.

Afghan-Canadian Cardiologist Works to Tackle Heart Disease in Kabul

Heart disease is becoming an increasingly significant health issue in Afghanistan, but until recently diagnosis and treatment have been available only to those Afghans who had the means to travel abroad. Learn more about the health issue.

ANA CSS kandak achieves Capability Milestone 1

Afghans are masters of improvisation, and the soldiers of Kandak 5, the sole combat service support (CSS) unit in 1 Brigade, 205 Corps of the Afghan National Army (1/205 ANA), are no exception. Read the story.

Did you know?

A very special visit

In the evening of Christmas Day, General Walter Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff, visited the soldiers of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team accompanied by the Honourable Gary Lunn, the Minister of State for Sport. Read more on the visit.

Multimedia

AfCam

Combat Camera

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