Afghanistan

The past year saw a continued fragile security situation in Afghanistan. Increased violence and political instability in the week of the presidential elections made it hard to deliver aid and development programs to populations most in need—even in the country’s relatively calm northern areas, where most of Concern’s activities are concentrated. Political upheaval also resulted in a rise in food prices, which limited the functioning of trading and markets.

Concern built 43 wells that now provide safe water to 14,000 of the poorest people in rural northern Afghanistan

Concern, working in Afghanistan since 1998, continued its programs in livelihoods, water and environmental health, education, HIV and AIDS and emergency relief.

• EDUCATION—Improving access to quality education for the absolute poor, reaching 2,300 children 
• HEALTH—Improving the health of 50,000 people in poor communities
• LIVELIHOODS—Increasing income for the poorest households, benefiting nearly 34,000 people 
• HIV AND AIDS—Raising awareness and reducing transmission among 150,000 people
• EMERGENCY—Assisting 90,000 people affected by floods

Afghanistan at a Glance 

Area: 652,000 sq km
Population: 26.3m
GDP per capita: US $1,054
Infant mortality (per thousand births): 153
Life expectancy: 43.6
Living with HIV and AIDS: n/a
Literacy rate: 28.8%
Access to safe water: 22%
Human development rank: 181 (out of 182)
Global hunger rank/index*: n/a