ISLAMABAD, July 2: The Canadian Minister for International Cooperation, Ms Susen Whelan, announced in Kabul on Tuesday that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (Cida), had allocated an additional $13.75 million for reconstruction efforts and long-term development in Afghanistan.

According to a press release issued by the Canadian High Commission here, the funding is part of the $100 million for humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan pledged by the Canadian government in December 2001 federal budget.

The minister said, “This is momentous time in Afghanistan’s history.

It is a time of wait, need and uncertainty but it is equally a time of great opportunity and hope for change.”

According to an official announcement of the Canadian government, the funds announced on Tuesday would support reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and be disbursed in two ways.

Firstly, $10 million to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) administered by the World Bank to provide coordinated financing for Afghanistan’s reconstruction programme, including part of the operating budget of the government of Afghanistan.

Secondly, up to $3.75 million over four years to support the delivery and monitoring of Canadian assistance in Afghanistan.