Helping Afghans is a vital goal

The Record – Letter to the Editor
September 5, 2007

Letters to the Editor
Kitchener-Waterloo Record
c/o letters@therecord.com

Re: Helping Afghans is a vital goal (KW Record Sept407)

I read with interest your editorial on CIDA aid in Kandahar province of Afghanistan.

MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates – a Waterloo-based NGO, is committed to helping in the CIDA-sponsored development efforts in Afghanistan.
My concern – is that the Senlis Council report speaks to the effectiveness and accountability of aid projects only in Kandahar. There are larger questions regarding aid to Kandahar, I believe. Can development happen in a war zone? Is it effective to have NGOs working with the military? Most choose not to.

The Council’s analysis has the effect of painting all aid work in the country with the same brush and, in the Canadian public’s eye, calling into question the many good and viable projects currently being conducted in other regions of Afghanistan. These projects are effective and accountable to the Canadian taxpayer. More importantly, they are bringing much hope to people who have lived for too long in harsh conditions. More than 13,000 women are running their own businesses using credit from one of our partners.

Afghanistan needs more than a military solution to its problems. Canada, through CIDA, is making great efforts to help this country rebuild.

Sincerely,

Allan Sauder
President
MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates