Afghanistan

Despite risks, once-oppressed Afghans are taking advantage of new opportunities to nurture a nascent democracy.

Photo: Colin Spurway/Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been working alongside the indomitable Afghan people for more than 20 years, helping them build their businesses, improve their health, educate their children and participate more fully in civil society. This boy radiates the enthusiasm of participants at a field-based coaching session for community workers. They’re learning how to improve village life by involving local people in the decisions that affect them. Other Mercy Corps programs in Afghanistan provide microloans to hardworking entrepreneurs (more than two-thirds of whom are women) and mobile veterinary services to help farmers improve the health of their animals.

Optimism and Hope Takes Root ›

For the people of Afghanistan, conflict and uncertainty has been a constant in their lives. But as the dust settles, new opportunities are taking root.

Special Report: Regrowing the Land ›

For the people of Afghanistan, conflict and uncertainty have been a constant in their lives. But as the dust settles, new opportunities are taking root.

Cooking Up Yogurt With Syeed ›

Topics: Microfinance

The yogurt that this Afghan entrepreneur makes may be plain but the impact it is having on his life is anything but.

Trial By Fire ›

Topics: Women's Empowerment, Microfinance

Life is considerably easier these days for Nasrin and her four children, thanks to a Mercy Corps-facilitated loan that's fueled a now-thriving bakery.

The Fruits of a New Beginning ›

Topics: Agriculture

Abdul Said Majid, a farmer and schoolteacher, always worked hard to feed his family but often met calamity. Mercy Corps is helping him seed new opportunity.

Nurturing New Growth ›

Topics: Youth, Education, Agriculture

Mercy Corps is equipping a new generation of Afghan farmers with a modern education in agribusiness and modern farming practices.

Supporting Themselves Through Agriculture ›

We are boosting agricultural productivity to combat the food crisis in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Running Water Uphill ›

Topics: Agriculture

When Mercy Corps explained how they wanted to help Agha Mohammad irrigate his pistachio orchard, the Afghan farmer thought it was "ridiculous." But he quickly changed his mind when he saw what we had in store.

Mercy Corps mourns loss of Dr. Wasi Kohistani ›

Mercy Corps is deeply saddened to report that Dr. Wasi Kohistani, one of its staff members in Afghanistan, was killed in an automobile accident on Friday.

Video: Afghan Women Learning Skills Toward Independence ›

Topics: Women's Empowerment, Livelihoods, Agriculture

Afghanistan is one of the world’s least developed countries. Most women in Afghanistan are wholly dependent upon their husbands and sons, and many are illiterate.

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

June 30, 2009
Renewing a Family’s Dream of Land

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

Barbers Shaving Off Their Fears

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

Over the last five years, we've allocated more than 89% of our resources directly to programs. America’s premier charity evaluator rates Mercy Corps a four-star charity. Click Here to learn more.