Afghanistan

In the 50s and 60s Afghanistan had modern, clean health facilities. Today only 13% of children are born in hospitals. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vizpix/4701889">Daveeza (Flickr)</a>

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A Glimpse into Afghanistan's Past

Recall an Afghanistan you probably forgot existed (or maybe you never knew). It's modern, stylish, and humming with productive economic activity.

These girls might be sitting on buried treasure. Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

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Will Mineral Deposits Bring Afghanistan Wealth or Warfare?

Afghanistan may be home to $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits, reports The New York Times. This is incredible news for a country that has been troubled by war for the past three decades.

Glasses are one key to improving the economic productivity of poor people in developing countries. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepchi/3515292325/">deepchi1 (flickr)</a>

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Poor Vision Put in Focus for the Developing World

Poor vision may not seem like an economic problem at first glance.

A Mercy Corps small business loan helped Najeeba expand her successful baby cradle business in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

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Microfinance Leaders on the Global Economic Crisis, Women, and For-Profit Lending

Over the past decade, Mercy Corps’ microfinance services have lent more than $1.5 billion, reaching more than one million people.

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A New Threat to Afghanistan

Afghanistan is facing a dangerous new threat, but it does not involve suicide bombers or roadside explosives.

Afghan farmers holding up poppy pods in a field of poppy flowers. Photo: Mercy Corps

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Another try at reducing the Afghan poppy trade

The United States is dropping the stick and picking up the carrot in combating the Afghan poppy trade.

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Dr. Jim Jarvie on Climate Change and the Problems it Posses for Food Security

Dr. Jim Jarvie is Director of Mercy Corps' Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources unit, based in Torino, Italy

Zahria, a 35-year-old mother of five, took out a loan from Afghanistan’s Mercy Corps-supported Ariana Financial Services to begin an almond-selling business. Photo: Miguel Samper/Mercy Corps

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O Magazine: Three things you can do to empower women

Our work to lend to the so-called "unbankable" is noted in September's O Magazine in a bit about Half the Sky. (The "O," of course, stands for Oprah.)

Barbers from the Swat Valley have more freedom in IDP camps than they did in their home towns under Taliban rule which found shaving off beards un-Islamic. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pirasteh/2521164302/">Elias Pirasteh (flickr)</a>

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Barbers Shaving Off Their Fears

Barbers from the Swat Valley were forbidden to shave off the beards of their customers under Taliban rule, which condemned the practice as "un-Islamic." Since the

We were driving through the desert Wednesday morning while Obama spoke in Chicago's Grant Park, but Miguel and I watched the replay on CNN that night in our Kunduz hotel room. Photo: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps

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How Obama Plays in Afghanistan

The world is buzzing about the U.S. election results, and Afghanistan — where I'm collecting stories on Mercy Corps projects — is no exception.

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In Afghanistan Amputees are Doing it for Themselves

How'd you like being a bicycle messenger on roads labeled "decrepit" and "all but impassable?" What about delivering documents by bike in a country where suicide

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In Afghanistan, Food Shortages May Fuel Unrest

In Afghanistan, war and a severe winter followed by harsh drought are compounding problems of high food costs, leading to a situation in which a quarter of the Afghan population may face severe food shortages.

Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34897016@N00/2424047237/">knottleslie(flickr)</a>

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A Better Life Through Reality TV?

Afghanistan’s economy is getting a boost from a very unlikely source — Reality TV.

Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfoleyphotography/396085334/">Michael Foley Photography (flickr)</a>

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Afghanistan's War on Poverty

Pouring aid money into Afghanistan seems to be like pouring water into a sieve?

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Chasing Golf Balls in Afghanistan

Before U.S. troops showed up, it’s doubtful that Afghan boys in Jalalabad had ever seen a golf ball. Today, some spend their time chasing after them.

Top Navigation

A Glimpse into Afghanistan's Past

Will Mineral Deposits Bring Afghanistan Wealth or Warfare?

Poor Vision Put in Focus for the Developing World

Microfinance Leaders on the Global Economic Crisis, Women, and For-Profit Lending

A New Threat to Afghanistan

Another try at reducing the Afghan poppy trade

Dr. Jim Jarvie on Climate Change and the Problems it Posses for Food Security

O Magazine: Three things you can do to empower women

Barbers Shaving Off Their Fears

How Obama Plays in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan Amputees are Doing it for Themselves

In Afghanistan, Food Shortages May Fuel Unrest

A Better Life Through Reality TV?

Afghanistan's War on Poverty

Chasing Golf Balls in Afghanistan

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Afghanistan

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