As we're seeing with Canadian initiatives in Afghanistan and Darfur, the nature of military aid to dangerous regions is changing. Troops and equipment are being deployed to protect humanitarian workers, a move that could increase the risk for all involved.

Earlier this week, Canadian troops left for Kandahar charged with protecting humanitarian workers in this dangerous Afghan region.

Aid agencies have long been considered neutral. Under rules of war developed through the Red Cross in the early part of the 20th century, aid workers were not to be considered military targets.

But the rules governing conflict no longer apply in the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan -- and in other countries -- where insurgents and guerrilla groups are increasingly targeting humanitarian workers.

Ted Itani of the Canadian Red Cross says that as of last week, 159 workers have died in the line of duty since 1994. For the United Nations, the numbers are considerably higher.

Itani says that although protection has become necessary, governments need to think carefully before tying aid workers to military forces.

"The perception of neutrality, independence, and impartiality has been lost," he told CTV News. "We are stigmatized -- we are still seen as part of the military intervention."

But in an interview to be aired Sunday on CTV's Question Period, Defence Minister Bill Graham says there is no choice in places like Afghanistan.

"Canadian NGOs or other aid workers are not going to be able to go there in any sense of security unless we have armed forces in the area that can help protect them," Graham said.

Graham describes Canadian foreign policy in such places as "3-D":

Defence: The first job is to bring stability to a region such as Kandahar.

Development: Bring in aid workers to help with agriculture efforts to replace illicit poppy crops.

Diplomacy: Canadian diplomats help local government establish democratic institutions.

"We have to bring a civil life back to Afghanistan," Graham said. "The first step is security, and the second step is development, we have to make them work together."

Prime Minister Paul Martin's government has given billions in new spending to the Defence Department. Now, in return, Martin wants to see more robust troop deployments to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in failed and failing states.

In the case of Darfur, the United Nations has charged the African Union with providing security to the war-torn region of Sudan. Graham said the African Union asked for supplies, not troops, from Canada.

This week Graham announced that more than 100 Grizzly armoured vehicles would be sent to the war zone, to back up the efforts of peacekeepers.

"It will give them more fire power," Graham said. "It will give them more mobility and more ability to cover the terrain, and protect the local population as well as dealing with the insurgents."