CRS Work in Afghanistan

Catholic Relief Services' programs focus on long-term development projects reaching the poorest and most rural populations of Afghanistan. With offices in the capital of Kabul, western provinces of Herat and Ghor, and a new office in Bamiyan, CRS works with communities to strengthen their means for self-sufficiency and improve quality of life.

CRS Afghanistan employs a staff of more than 250 (more than 90 percent of them are Afghan). Our programs take place in close collaboration with communities to build irrigation systems and provide clean water, increase agricultural production and enterprise, and improve access to — and quality of — health and education for the people of Afghanistan. CRS Afghanistan works in the areas of:

Agriculture and Enterprise Development

CRS works with farmers to increase their income through sustainable and marketable agricultural activities. Farmers receive training in agricultural techniques for diversification of crops and improved harvests. Some of the crops, including strawberries, are new to the area and have been enormously successful. Farmers are making connections to larger markets for increased business and income.

Water for Life

Water for Life is a watershed development program promoting water and livelihood security in drought-prone areas of western Afghanistan. Essential to community health and stability, this program involves building and repair of major water infrastructure including canals, wells, pumps and irrigation systems. Water for Life sustains local agriculture with restored irrigation and drainage, as well as systems to prevent the devastating impact of floods and droughts.

Community-Based Education

CRS collaborates with communities located in rural areas to establish schools and basic education opportunities for children, as well as literacy and accelerated education programs for women. While the communities provide the location, teachers and salaries, CRS provides classroom materials, libraries and training for the teachers. As many as 3,000 children and adults participate in these classes in the most rural pockets of the country. CRS also supports education programs, materials and teacher training for the hearing-impaired in Kabul.

Women's Livelihoods

CRS supports the efforts of women's groups to explore income-generating options and develop local businesses. The women gather in a central location, often within a home, to establish a business plan, such as producing and marketing local tomato paste. From farming to the purchasing of goods, from processing to packaging and distribution, the women’s groups maintain involvement in all aspects of these business projects.

Emergency Response

In times of a drought, floods or harsh winters, CRS provides emergency relief, including food, household items, shelter materials, medical care, and road and bridge repair. Special attention is paid to the most vulnerable communities, often the most remote, reachable only after days of driving or riding on horseback. CRS emergency response encourages community participation through food-for-work programs and other activities that engage everyone in the recovery effort.