Afghanistan’s water crisis is hitting the highlands hardest – but community-run schemes reaching 75,000 people offer hope
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His Highness the Aga Khan commits $100 million to global nutrition effort in solidarity with “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign
AKDN / Christopher Wilton-Steer
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Learn moreAKDN | 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. In 2025, our projects served over four million people across 20 provinces. 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 business associations and entrepreneurs. Community platforms 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 locally driven solutions and context-specific interventions.
Geneva, November 2020
Agriculture and Food Security
710,000
In 2025, around 710,000 people benefitted from AKF's agriculture and food security work in Afghanistan
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
80,000
In 2025, AKF's education programmes reached around 80,000 learners in Afghanistan.
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
$1 billion
FMFB-A has disbursed loans worth over $1 billion
We have pioneered the provision of innovative and flexible microfinance products in Afghanistan, driving economic development in rural areas.
AKDN IN AFGHANISTAN
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