Europe/Central Asia
Russia
Russia is the world's largest country with a population of over 145 million people spread across an area equal to one-sixth of the world's land surface. Since the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991, the country has struggled immensely with the transition from a central-controlled economy to a more open and free market system. More»
Tajikistan
Tajikistan has been undergoing profound political and economic changes since gaining independence following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. In the aftermath of the 1992-1996 civil war, which cost over 50,000 lives, and severe droughts in 2000 and 2001, the population continues to endure the effects of a stagnant economy and a soaring crime rate. More than 80 percent of the population lives under the poverty line and for about a million people - one sixth of the population - physical survival itself has become a struggle. Particularly hard-hit are small farmers with no alternative source of income, female-headed households, families with several children and the elderly. This has left large groups of people dependent on outside aid. More»
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, an extremely poor, landlocked country in central Asia, has experienced more than two decades of war. Most Afghans count on agriculture and livestock raising for their livelihoods - and three consecutive years of drought have further worsened their living conditions. There are more than three million Afghan refugees in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Iran and hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced in Afghanistan. As refugees and displaced persons return to their homes and reclaim their property, further tensions between groups can be expected. More»
Balkans
The past decade of war, population movements, economic hardship and natural disasters have wreaked havoc throughout the Balkans. Despite political changes, the vulnerable in the region will face hardships for many years to come, as strife and economic in stability continue to plague the region. More»
