DENMARK'S ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

INTEGRATED APPROACH
A conflict like the one in Afghanistan cannot be won by military means alone. The traditional approach where the completion of security operations precedes development efforts is not a viable approach in Afghanistan. The particular threats to stability in Afghanistan require flexible cooperation between the military and civilian efforts. Therefore the Danish efforts are implemented as fully integrated political, civilian and military efforts – as is laid out in the Danish Government’s Strategy for the Danish Political, Civilian and Military Efforts in Afghanistan (2008 – 2012)

Denmark believes that a fully integrated political, military and development approach is fundamental for securing sustainable progress in Afghanistan. This approach is based on experience from the international engagement in Afghanistan and entails that military efforts and development efforts must be effected simultaneously, and be mutually supportive. This integrated effort is made to ensure the best possible outcome for the Afghan people – bringing development assistance to areas that, without military support, may be very difficult to reach. Read more about Denmark’s integrated approach here



 
DENMARK THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR OF TROOPS PER CAPITA

The collective Danish military contribution to ISAF encompasses approx. 690 persons (December 1, 2008). Presently, this makes Denmark the largest contributor of troops to ISAF per capita Please see the chart below. The main part of this contribution consists of Danish Forces under British leadership in the Helmand province. The overall objective of Denmark’s engagement in Helmand is to contribute to stable and sustainable development through a fully integrated civil and military effort that is as civil as possible and as military as necessary. Read more about Denmark’s integrated approach here

The goal of the security and stabilisation efforts is to enable Afghan authorities to control the province and that the security situation will enable the completion of development efforts by a wide variety of actors.