This forestry project in Afghanistan is pushing women to the forefront of climate action
Learn moreThis forestry project in Afghanistan is pushing women to the forefront of climate action
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Afghanistan: Building hope amidst the crisis
Learn moreAfghanistan: Building hope amidst the crisis
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“A sacred profession” – The midwives ensuring safe births in Afghanistan
Learn more“A sacred profession” – The midwives ensuring safe births in Afghanistan
Learn moreAfghanistan in pictures: The faces of resilience
Abdul Bari is 24 years old. In Baghlan, he is working with AKF to help cultivate and irrigate agricultural land. There isn’t always work like this available to young men like him, but the province is highly dependent on agriculture and AKF is committed to creating jobs in this sector to build economic resilience. “Most young people are forced to leave the country because they do not have a job. I was very worried that I would have to do that too, but now I am happy and hope that I will find more work soon.”
AKDN / Sayed Habib Bidel
Learn moreAfghanistan in pictures: The faces of resilience
Abdul Bari is 24 years old. In Baghlan, he is working with AKF to help cultivate and irrigate agricultural …
AKDN / Sayed Habib Bidel
Learn more€12 million EU partnership agreement to support marginalised communities in Afghanistan
Learn more€12 million EU partnership agreement to support marginalised communities in Afghanistan
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This page is also available inAKDN | Afghanistan
AKDN began working in Afghanistan in 1996, distributing food aid during the civil war. Since 2002, we and our partners have committed over $1 billion in development assistance to the country.
Read about our commitment to Afghanistan, our work during the current humanitarian crisis and recent grants supporting humanitarian relief efforts.
AKDN’s development work now spans the humanitarian, economic, social and cultural fields. Our economic projects cover over 240 cities and towns in the country’s 34 provinces. Our social development and humanitarian work is focused in 61 districts in seven provinces, impacting over three million people. Our cultural programmes, which operate in Kabul, Herat, Balkh and Badakhshan, have restored over 90 historic buildings.
We work to strengthen Afghan institutions and the public sector, engaging communities and local leadership. In the private sector, we support the Chamber of Commerce, business associations and entrepreneurs. Local civil society organisations are also strengthened as critical partners, for example, extending community savings programmes to further districts.
Our aim is to enable comprehensive area development, led by Afghan institutions and built on partnerships between government, business and civil society. We believe that this is the surest way to secure Afghanistan's transition to stability and prosperity.
Gender equity is central to our work. Our approach tackles social barriers, promotes equitable decision-making, and empowers women and girls through increased voice and agency.
$1 billion
We channel $1 billion per year into development projects.
34
Our work reaches all 34 provinces.
$1 billion
We channel $1 billion per year into development projects.
34
Our work reaches all 34 provinces.
His Highness the Aga Khan
Geneva, November 2020
Agriculture and Food Security
218,000
218,000 people currently benefit from our agriculture and food security work
We address spatial poverty in rural areas through infrastructure construction. Our natural resource management programme has reached more than 2.1 million beneficiaries through its work in field crops and horticulture, land and water management, and livestock.
Disaster Preparedness and Response
143,400
Over 143,400 people have received aid
We provide early warnings of disasters such as avalanches, floods and earthquakes, train residents in emergency response to evade and mitigate them, and help rebuild after incidents.
Early Childhood Development
74
We operate 74 pre-primary units
We have established and sustained 74 preschools and early childhood development centres in remote areas, supporting teachers and providing resources.
Economic Development
35,000
35,000 people have access to electricity for the first time
We aim to stimulate long-term economic growth while improving the quality of life. Our projects address everything from national infrastructure to individual access to finance.
Education
289,000
Our education activities reach more than 289,000 students
We offer education from pre-primary to university levels; improving schools, establishing community classes and removing constraints to education.
Habitat
50%
Our water and sanitation interventions helped to reduce child mortality and morbidity by 50 percent
We assess habitats for vulnerabilities and helps communities to design and construct inclusive and resilient environments in which future generations can thrive.
Health
1.6 million
1.6 million patients per year receive care through our internationally accredited healthcare system
We are helping to rebuild the country’s health infrastructure and keep health care going through training, e-health, community initiatives and managing the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children.
Microfinance
700,000
We have disbursed almost 700,000 microfinance loans since 2006
We have pioneered the provision of innovative and flexible microfinance products in Afghanistan, channelling over $1 billion towards reconstruction with the support of donors and partners.
AKDN IN AFGHANISTAN
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