Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Oxfam's focus is on gender equality, livelihoods, education and humanitarian relief.
The road to democracy
Several years since the fall of the Taleban, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest and least-developed nations in the world.
- Average life expectancy is just 43
- One in five children dies before their fifth birthday
Widespread security problems, damaged infrastructure and centuries-old ethnic differences present challenges to the country's path towards democracy.
However, there are also real opportunities for Oxfam's work to make a difference.
How Oxfam is helping
We work with communities to develop local institutions and increase the participation of women. We also focus on increasing access to health and education, and improving people's livelihoods.
Before Oxfam arrived we were all convinced the cold weather would never allow us to grow vegetables Oxfam helped me build a hotbed and, seeing my success, other people have also started growing vegetables the same way.
Hadji Younas, Hazarajat
Learn more
Read more examples of our work in Afghanistan:
ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is a funding partner of Oxfam in Afghanistan
Educating Afghanistan's children
Despite a 500 per cent increase in enrolments in the last six years, half of all Afghan children still do not go to school. Girls especially, have traditionally lost out.
- Only one in five girls attends primary school
- Only one in 20 girls goes on to attend secondary school
Educating Afghanistan’s children is crucial in improving their lives and in the rebuilding and development of the country. But poverty, crippling fees and huge distances often prevent parents from sending their children to school.
How Oxfam is helping
We run special winter schools to help students catch up on schooling during the long, house-bound, winter months. We are also providing education materials and training teachers. We continue to lobby the international community for aid to help Afghanistan invest in its education system.
Other development work
- Helping communities make a better living by providing agricultural training and distributing livestock
- Raising awareness of public health and providing water supply systems
- Developing the capacity, and improving the rights, of women
Emergency in Afghanistan - 2001
Bombing by American forces in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 saw a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Oxfam responded by providing water and food supplies. We also scaled up our efforts in existing refugee camps in Pakistan where thousands of Afghans headed.
