Afghanistan
Country Profile/Quick Facts
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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.
Although the recent establishment of an interim government and the deployment of an international security force may be seen as signs of stability in the country, much remains uncertain and millions of Afghans remain vulnerable to disease and hunger. The continued fighting in pockets of the country, compounded with the country's mountainous landscape and cold winter, make delivering humanitarian assistance a complicated and challenging matter.
Current Relief Strategy
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Red Cross vehicles traveling near Mazar-i-Sharif | |
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Since 1986, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has maintained in Afghanistan one of its largest humanitarian operations throughout the world. The vast majority of the ICRC's humanitarian programs (in the form of food and non-food assistance) are directed to people whose livelihoods have been affected by conflict. The current relief strategy focuses on helping isolated areas of the country that other humanitarian organizations are less able to reach. It is designed to prevent further displacement, ease the return of those who have fled their communities and help families restore their economic livelihoods.
The ICRC's ongoing programs in Afghanistan include:
- large-scale distribution of food, seeds and tools;
- rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation system;
- support to 20 hospitals/first aid posts in the form of medicine, medical supplies, maintenance, repairs, technical support/training, and staff;
- six ICRC prosthetic/orthotic centres;
- visits to thousands of prisoners detained because of the conflict; and
- International Humanitarian Law (IHL) dissemination.
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Afghan Red Crescent community health training session | |
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With the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation), the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) delivers a primary health care program in 48 clinics across the country. The ARCS also runs a community-based first aid program.
Canadian Red Cross Support to Afghanistan
During the last decade, Canadian Red Cross has supported ICRC and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) programs and deployed dozens of highly experienced Canadian personnel to the region. In the last year, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has provided Red Cross with $4.4 million for humanitarian assistance programs in Afghanistan. The Canadian public has donated more than $1 million. Canadian Red Cross is channeling this support to the ICRC and Federation through the provision of Canadian delegates and a health sector project.
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Capital: Kabul |
