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CAFOD
Afghanistan - crocuses

Purple saffron blossoms grown by small rural businesses in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world - over a third of the population live below the poverty line and struggle to meet their basic needs. CAFOD has been supporting communities in Afghanistan since the late 1980s.

Our work in Afghanistan

With your donations, we have:

  • Supported local farmers to grow more crops and sell them at markets, and helped them to set up other small businesses in vulnerable communities.

  • Set up savings and loans groups and taught maths and business skills. Saving small amounts each week means that families can plan for the future.

  • Promoted women’s empowerment by working with self-help groups to teach business and leadership skills that support women to set up their own small businesses.

  • Worked with local experts to challenge some of the systems that keep Afghan families in poverty.

Some of our work in Afghanistan has had to be paused to keep our network of local experts and the families they work with safe.

Why CAFOD works in Afghanistan

Conflict and poor governance mean that poverty is widespread in Afghanistan.

Most of the population live in rural areas and depend on farming to feed their families, but the country also suffers from natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. 

Afghanistan is a highly patriarchal society which means that women often face discrimination.

News from Afghanistan

Refugee crisis explained
31
May
2023

Refugee crisis explained

We answer your questions about the global refugee crisis and explain how CAFOD is responding.