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: New Opportunities in a Fertile Land June 2, 2004
In Helmand Province, opportunities for women are slim. Culturally-prescribed gender roles restrict their movement outside of their households and villages, limit their access to education and economic options and hinder their positive contributions to civil society at many levels.
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Afghanistan: New Hope Flows Into Zad Kamar June 2, 2004
Zad Kamar is a Pashto community in a predominantly ethnic Tajik area of northeast Afghanistan. Located in Khanabad District (Kunduz Province), it was situated along the front-line of the war between the Pashto-majority Taliban and the Northern Alliance.
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Afghanistan: Lending a Hand and a Little Bit More June 1, 2004
A long line of women extends down the staircase of the Ariana Financial Services Group (AFSG) office in Kabul. The women are eagerly waiting to collect their small business loans.
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Afghanistan: A Flame of Hope May 24, 2004
As Khadija Naziry darts from vats of melting wax to a large tray of metal candle molds, her pronounced limp almost goes unnoticed. Her energy and passion mask the past decades of hardship she suffered living in Kabul through wars, violence and oppression.
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Afghanistan: A Blooming Business in Kabul May 21, 2004
Name: Ahmad Shah RahimiAge: 25 yearsLocation: District 10, Kabul (Afghanistan) With the fall of the Taliban regime over two years ago, Ahmad’s flower business has begun to bloom.
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Afghanistan: American-Style Baby Swings Sell Well in Afghanistan May 21, 2004
Name: Najeeba HaidariAge: 36 yearsLocation: District 10, Kabul (Afghanistan)
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Afghanistan: Asian Fashion for Kabul Women May 21, 2004
Name: Nadjia ShujaeeAge: 33 yearsLocation: Bagh-E-Zanana Women’s Market, Kabul (Afghanistan)
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Afghanistan: Afghan Woman Selling to Women May 21, 2004
Name: Aziza RajabiAge: 45 yearsLocation: Bagh-E-Zanana Women’s Market, Kabul (Afghanistan)
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Afghanistan: The Wedding Singer May 21, 2004
Name: Parviz SharifiAge: 25 yearsLocation: District 1, Kabul (Afghanistan)
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Afghanistan: Hatching a New Business May 21, 2004
Name: Fawzia Mohammad HazanAge: 35Location: District 7, Kabul (Afghanistan) Over the din of hundreds of cheeping little chicks, Fawzia explains the business plan for her newly launched chick farm.