Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child. One in five do not live beyond 5 years old. Those that do may face a life living and working on the streets without education or opportunity.

Deep conservatism and a lack of legal protection makes the lives of women and girls particularly difficult. 60% of Afghan girls receive no education.

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Afghanistan Sub Project Title

Poverty has driven many Afghan children and their parents onto the streets or into dangerous and illegal work. Children are involved in prostitution, theft and drug dealing, sometimes forced there by their own families. Our work supports children who have ended up behind bars as a result.

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  • Obama urged to act swiftly on Afghan crisis

    Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The incoming Barack Obama administration will inherit an urgent crisis in Afghanistan and must increase U.S. and NATO troop levels there while enlarging the Afghan army ...

  • Policing in Afghanistan: Still Searching for a Strategy

    Source: International Crisis Group Corruption and lack of political will in Afghanistan have prevented the comprehensive police reform which is essential to combating lawlessness and popular disillusionment.

  • Guantanamo man says U.S. never probed his 'crime'

    Source: Reuters By Daria Sito-Sucic SARAJEVO, Dec 18 (Reuters) - An Algerian man who spent nearly seven years in Guantanamo Bay says his U.S. interrogators never questioned him on the main terrorism allegation ...

  • AFGHANISTAN: UN beefs up its assistance mission

    Source: IRIN The UN is to double the budget of its Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), raising the number of international staff from 1,500 to 2,000 to improve service delivery, aid effectiveness and donor coordination.

  • Pakistani Islamists call for block on U.S. supplies

    Source: Reuters By Zeeshan Haider PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Pakistani Islamists called on Thursday for the government to block vital supply routes for Western forces in Afghanistan in response to U.S. ...

  • Population: 27 million
  • GDP per capita: $218
  • Life expectancy: 42
  • Infant mortality: 257 per 1000
  • Children as % of population: 47%