Afghanistan
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Photo: Toni Greaves for Mercy Corps
Our strategy
Improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens by strengthening sustainable, legitimate livelihoods.
The context
Decades of ongoing conflict, political instability, drought and economic chaos has left Afghanistan one of the world’s poorest and unstable nations. Eighty-five percent of the population relies on agriculture and natural resource-based livelihoods, leaving them vulnerable in a precarious economy.
Our work
- Agriculture & Food: Increasing farmers' production through training, infrastructure and links to local and global markets
- Economic opportunity: Providing training and work opportunities in areas ranging from road-building to poultry farming
- Water: Supporting equal, sustainable access to water resources for farmers
- Women & Gender: Helping women learn job skills and start small businesses
All stories about Afghanistan
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Afghanistan: Mercy Corps publishes groundbreaking book October 4, 2001
Blind Chickens and Social Animals: Creating Spaces for Afghan Women's Narratives under the Taliban "Before, we were like blind chickens..." - Afghan woman
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Afghanistan: Mercy Corps prepares for flood of refugees leaving Afghanistan September 28, 2001
It's becoming more difficult than ever to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and even to neighboring Pakistan. Local workers with relief groups such as Portland-based Mercy Corps are among those going to remote, safer places or leaving Afghanistan altogether.
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Afghanistan: A family struggles to survive in Afghanistan July 18, 2001
Mullah Hatem is 75 years old. Two months ago he was forced to leave his home in Ghor Province and take his family further south in search of food and water. He is sick and cannot afford to feed his family, let alone visit a doctor.
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Afghanistan: Gates Foundation sends relief to Afghanistan June 14, 2001
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is providing $300,000 for Mercy Corps’ Afghan Drought Relief and Rehabilitation project.
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Afghanistan: Crisis in Afghanistan: A report from the front line March 28, 2001
Escalating conflict has rendered an estimated 80,000 people homeless. Many were forced to flee their homes on foot, with only the clothes on their backs.
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Afghanistan: Field report from northern Afghanistan August 18, 2000
According to our sources, this is the latest news from northern Afghanistan: 17 August: the front line was 20-23 kms west of Taloqan with a major advance by the Northern Alliance pushing the Taliban back. However, the Taliban re-attacked and fighting was said to be intense.