More than 23 years of conflict and recent drought  has left an entire nation in desperate need.  Afghanistan  is one of  the world’s   poorest countries whose people  have  suffered  incredibly.  To this day, almost  one  in  five  Afghans continue to depend on food-aid for survival.  Infant and maternal mortality rate   remains among the world’s highest. Afghan health workers lack proper training and clinics. Where they exist, they are inadequately supplied. Approximately 44% percent of deaths during childhood result from treatable and often preventable diseases.  40% of the population have no access to primary health care. Schools lack adequate teachers and supplies. The authority of the central government does not extend beyond the capital, Kabul, leaving  rural  areas at the mercy of ruthless warlords. Despite these bleak assessments, this now is the time of hope for the Afghan people.  Now, like never before, the doors of the country have swung  wide open.  The  opportunity  for  Christians to go, to live, to serve, and to love the Afghan people in the name of Jesus is the hope and future for Afghanistan.

Did you know?

- More than 1,500,000 people have died in Afghan wars since 1979.

- Afghanistan is home to 2 million widows.

- 54% of Afghan women marry before age 18.

- Only 45% of Afghans receive standard immunizations.

-The average life expectancy is 43 yrs.

- Infant mortality is over 25%.

- Maternal mortality is 17 per 1000 live births.

- Only 35% of the population in the cities have access to

safe drinking water, 14% have access in rural areas.

- Only 25% of the population is literate.

- For every 100,000 people, there are 1.1 doctors, 1.5

  nurses, 0.3 midwives, and 0.16 trained birth attendants