Afghanistan | Mercy Corps

A Never-Ending Struggle ›

Topics: Emergencies, Health, Women's Empowerment

Mercy Corps works to provide medical assistance to disabled Afghan refugees.

Cash-for-Work ›

Topics: Agriculture, Emergencies, Economic Development

As food becomes scarce and crops fail, Mercy Corps's Cash-for-Work program is breathing life into Afghan communities in the southern province of Uruzgan.

The Women of the Katchi Abadis ›

Topics: Health, Emergencies, Women's Empowerment

Mercy Corps initiates a health and capacity building program for a forgotten urban Afghan refugee neighborhood in Pakistan.

Lending Assistance to Afghanistan ›

Topics: Emergencies, Peaceful Change

After years of social and political upheaval and fighting, Afghanistan is in need of humanitarian aid.

Strengthening Education in Afghanistan ›

Topics: Education, Peaceful Change, Women's Empowerment

With the fall of the Taliban, girls are able to attend school and women enter the workforce.

A Class Project Worthy of High Marks ›

Topics: Education, Children, Agriculture

Class project to benefit Afghanistan programs spurs the kids to continue helping Afghan children.

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst ›

Topics: Emergencies, Health, Water/Sanitation

Mercy Corps makes efforts to provide adequate medical attention to those in need in an Afghan refugee camp.

Overcoming Ethnic Divisions to Deliver Aid ›

Topics: Peaceful Change, Emergencies

With the distribution of non-food relief items from Mercy Corps and ECHO, families in one conflict-affected village can rebuild their lives.

A Man and A Country, Woven Together ›

One rug-dealer's personal connection with Afghanistan has driven him to encourage expanded economic opportunities for women weavers.

Blind Chickens and Social Animals ›

Blind Chickens and Social Animals: Creating Spaces for Afghan Women's Narratives under the Taliban, available for purchase.

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Afghanistan Facts

Population (2008): 32 million
Size: slightly smaller than Texas
Human Development Index rank: n/a
Mercy Corps has worked here since 1986
Primary work: microfinance loans to female entrepreneurs, veterinary services for livestock farmers, up-to-date education in agriculture and marketing practices, eliminating farmers' dependency on opium poppy production
Labor force in agriculture: 80%
Percentage rise of opium production since 2006: 15% (Washington Post)
Foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan: 71,000+ (Javno.com)

Program Details

Mercy Corps has been in Afghanistan since 1986, and we are currently assisting more than 2.5 million Afghans to stabilize and rebuild their lives. Dozens of our projects throughout the country focus on agricultural and economic development to build stronger communities.

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Recent Blog Posts

August 13, 2009
Today's Afghan businesswoman
August 11, 2009
Hot as an anvil in Afghanistan
August 04, 2009
Invest in Afghanistan's mothers

Recent posts on globalenvision.org, Mercy Corps' student-written blog that explores the confluence of markets and poverty alleviation through news, commentary and discussion.

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Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

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