13.9°C Vancouver

Sep 27, 2023 6:18 PM - The Canadian Press

Canada pledges $14 million for Afghan refugees in Pakistan after 2022 floods

Share On
canada-pledges-14-million-for-afghan-refugees-in-pakistan-after-2022-floods
The new funding is meant to help with rebuilding schools and health facilities, as well as providing sexual and maternal health services. (Photo: X/Ahmed Hussen)

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen has unveiled $14 million to support global organizations in Pakistan to help accommodate Afghan refugees.

The funding is meant to help the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees afford the added cost of last year's devastating floods in Pakistan.

Ever since the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have fled to neighbouring Pakistan, putting pressure on social services and infrastructure.

The 2022 floods in Pakistan affected 33 million people, and Hussen said it particularly hit communities hosting large numbers of Afghans.

The new funding is meant to help with rebuilding schools and health facilities, as well as providing sexual and maternal health services.

Canada has resettled more than 38,000 Afghans since then, and Hussen says 16,500 of them came from Pakistan.

Many more remain, and Hussen said the goal of the funding announcement was to make life more bearable for Afghans in Pakistan as well as the towns and villages where they live.

"What we're doing is making sure that we're there for them, particularly as the floods have made them even more vulnerable in these host communities," he said.

Hussen did not directly answer when asked about when the funds would flow and for how long.

Canada's ongoing resettlement of Afghans has been partially delayed by Pakistani bureaucracy, with the Veterans Transition Network noting last year that hundreds of Afghans had been stuck in Pakistan because the country wouldn't promptly issue exit visas to let them reach Canada.

Last fall, the NDP raised concerns about Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement to Canada being told by Pakistani officials they'd risk jail time or deportation if they didn't pay hundreds of dollars to get their visas extended.

Pakistan eventually assured Ottawa it would not deport Afghans, and Hussen thanked the country for its work hosting Afghans fleeing violence over decades.

"We do value everything that the government and people of Pakistan are doing for Afghan refugees. They're part of the global solidarity movement that is hosting refugees, and it's not an easy thing to do," he said.

"We thank them for that solidarity with refugees, and we have an ongoing, very productive and effective dialogue to work with them on the facilitation of Afghan refugees through Pakistan."

Latest news

b-c-advances-new-mass-timber-demonstration-projects
BCSep 23, 2025

B.C. advances new mass-timber demonstration projects

Four new buildings in B.C. are each receiving $500,000 — totalling $2 million — to demonstrate and showcase the benefits of mass-timber construction. “Mass timber represents a transformative, locally sourced solution that’s generating significant employment opportunities, spurring cutting-edge innovation, and revitalizing rural economies across British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our continued strategic investments in projects throughout the province, we’re positioning B.C. as a leader in mass-timber construction, while building the
dera-beas-chief-visits-bikram-majithia-in-nabha-jail
IndiaSep 23, 2025

Dera Beas chief visits Bikram Majithia in Nabha jail

Dera Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon reached Nabha jail today, where he met Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The Akali leader (Bikram Majithia) has been kept in judicial custody in the jail by the Punjab government in a case of exceeding income.The two held a closed-door meeting that lasted 35 minutes, jail officials said. Reports quoted a jail official who requested anonymity, “The Dera Beas chief had sought permission to meet Majithia as a family member, and it was granted strictly according to the jail manual.” Dhillon has close family ties with Majithia’s wife
search-for-missing-five-year-old-boy-in-southern-alberta-enters-third-day
AlbertaSep 23, 2025

Search for missing five-year-old boy in southern Alberta enters third day

The search for a five-year-old boy in southwestern Alberta is entering its third day. RCMP say two nights of searches have yielded no results in finding Darius Macdougall. Macdougall went missing Sunday after he didn't return from a walk with six family members to their campsite near Island Lake Campground, south of Crowsnest Pass. Mounties have said people should avoid the area and leave the search to the professionals. Darius is described as four feet tall with short brown hair, and he was last seen wearing a blue-grey hoodie and sweatpants. Police said the boy has autism, w
gary-anandsangri-announces-government-gun-buyback-program
CanadaSep 23, 2025

Gary Anandasangaree announces government gun buyback program

Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has announced the launch of the government's gun buyback program. Anandasangaree said that starting Tuesday, the government is launching a voluntary gun buyback program with a pilot project in Nova Scotia and it will be fully implemented after the fall. The minister said that we are serious about removing assault-style weapons from our communities and they have no place in Canada. In May 2020, the Canadian government declared about 2,500 types of guns illegal as part of a strategy to combat gun violence. The Public Safety Minister said that t
frauds-frauds-and-more-frauds
BCSep 23, 2025

Nanaimo RCMP warns about frauds

Frauds are increasingly woven into the fabric of our daily lives, through emails, phone calls and social media. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of deceit and their delivery. By staying informed and skeptical, we can better protect ourselves and our communities. Nanaimo file # 2025-29161 Grandson scam Caller told police she was scammed for $1700 after being led to believe her grandson needed money to get out of jail. Caller that that in September 2025, she received a phone call from a private number who said they were the RCMP and that her grandson had been arrested after being inv

Related News