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Afghanistan

Afghanistan is devastated by 40 years of war and is one of the most heavily polluted countries with explosive remnants. Basic services like health and education are insufficient.

Young boy wearing all green holds on to two blue parallel bars as a man wearing a white medical coat stands behind him.

Sayed learns to walk again thanks to his prosthesis and physiotherapist at the Kandahar rehabilitation center. | © Jaweed Tanveer / HI

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Humanity & Inclusion has been active in Afghanistan since 1987. In 1996, HI built a rehabilitation center in Kandahar for people with disabilities, including landmine survivors. The center provides physical therapy services — including a workshop for manufacturing artificial limbs and braces.

HI is a strong actor in promoting and advocating for the rights of survivors of landmines and other people with disabilities as a whole and provides technical support to key stakeholders, contributing to a better acceptance and integration of them in society and enhancing their access to medical and other basic services.

HI has activities on mine risk dducation, provides rehabilitation services and supports local health facilities. HI assists in improving the quality of rehabilitation service by developing a curriculum and training courses for physical therapy professionals based on recognized international standards. Finally, HI also provides community-based psychosocial support (PSS) and emergency home-based rehabilitation services in key districts.

Latest stories

Rehabilitation center serves civilians with conflict-related injuries
© Till Mayer / HI
Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation center serves civilians with conflict-related injuries

Irshadullah is one of the countless civilian victims of violence in Afghanistan. As is too often the case, his injury left him with a permanent disability. Humanity & Inclusion was there to help him start over.

After missile attack, Amina walks again
© T. Mayer
Emergency Rehabilitation

After missile attack, Amina walks again

Amina, 7, was seriously injured in a missile attack during heavy fighting in Afghanistan in July 2021. She’s learned to walk again, with rehabilitation care and an artificial limb from Humanity & Inclusion.

Children conquer war wounds with rehabilitation, psychosocial support
© E. Blanchard / HI
Emergency Rehabilitation

Children conquer war wounds with rehabilitation, psychosocial support

More than a year after U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban seized control, Humanity & Inclusion's teams continue to work with civilians injured in conflict.

Background

Map of Humanity & Inclusion's interventions in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been devastated by 40 years of war, natural disasters, chronic poverty and food insecurity. But international aid is largely suspended since the Taliban's takeover.

The Taliban toppled the former government and took over the country in September 2021. Since then, the country is on the edge of economic bankruptcy. The World Food Program warned that half of Afghanistan's population faces acute hunger as humanitarian needs grow to record levels.

There are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees in the world, of whom 2.2 million are registered in Iran and Pakistan, according to the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 3.5 million people were displaced by the conflict in Afghanistan — of whom 700,000 were displaced during the year 2021  – face acute and growing humanitarian needs (UNHCR).

Number of HI staff members: 255
Date the program launched: 1987

Where we work
 

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