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: Improving water distribution for farms and orchards December 16, 2008
In Afghanistan, half the population lives below the poverty line and the unemployment rate is 40%. Of those who do have jobs, most work in agriculture. Improving agriculture is key to reducing hunger and poverty in Afghanistan and good water management is key to improving agriculture.
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Afghanistan: Shamsia: Profile of a Borrower January 3, 2007
My name is Shamsia. I am 31 years old and am from Kabul. I run a school for women where they learn how to sew, embroider, make jewelry, produce ‘chapans' (a traditional Afghan costume) and weave.
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Afghanistan: Life in Shashtepa Takes a Turn For The Better January 3, 2007
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Afghanistan: A Story of Glitter and Plastic Flowers January 3, 2007
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Afghanistan: Q&A: Afghanistan, Five Years After the Taliban Fell September 20, 2006
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Afghanistan: Forsaking the Flower for a More Hopeful Future February 10, 2006
As Afghanistan struggles to lift itself from decades of conflict and oppression, a flower threatens to keep its society down.
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Afghanistan: A Day in the Life of an Aid Worker in Afghanistan October 29, 2004
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Afghanistan: Afghans Speak Out on Violence and Elections October 7, 2004
"People have guns. Please take them away. They will kill people. They will rob people."
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Afghanistan: Afghan Team Members Honored for Service July 20, 2004
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Afghanistan: Mercy Corps Calls on NATO to Improve Security in Afghanistan June 24, 2004
On June 22, Mercy Corps and over fifty other international humanitarian aid, civil society and human rights organizations called on members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen security efforts in Afghanistan.