The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is one of nine specialist agencies and institutions of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).The Foundation works in rural development in some 30 countries, especially in Asia and Africa. In Afghanistan, it works in seven provinces of northern and central Afghanistan, implementing long-term programmes aimed at reducing poverty and enabling people to improve their quality of life.AKF implements programmes in civil society, agriculture, infrastructure, small enterprise development and education.

AKDN activities in Bamyan and Parwan began in 1996 with a relief programme implemented by Focus Humanitarian Assistance, an AKDN affiliate. Improved seed and fertiliser were supplied to the area to address food insecurity and the effects of a prolonged drought in the high-altitude, marginal agricultural lands of the Central Highlands. From 2002, these relief activities were expanded to introduce long-term development programmes implemented by theAga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan Health Services to meet a critical need for improved infrastructure, education and healthcare.