Afghanistan
Map & Basic Information
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Area
652,225 square kilometers
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Population
38.9 million (World Population White Paper, 2020)
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Capital
Kabul
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Ethnicity
Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, etc.
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Language
Dari and Pashto (official languages)
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Religion
Islam (mainly Sunni, but Hazara are Shia)
Issues to be addressed
Since the invasion of the former Soviet Union in 1979, many landmines and unexploded ordnance have been found in various parts of Afghanistan, and since the 2010s, the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)* has become more frequent, increasing the risk of damage to people. In addition, the rights of people with disabilities, including landmine victims, are not sufficiently guaranteed, and many people with disabilities are unable to receive basic education, medical care, and welfare services.
*IEDs: Improvised Explosive Devices, which can be manufactured from familiar objects such as polyethylene tanks and cans. The number of damage is increasing every year.
Activities
Mine risk education
Children receive educational materials prepared by AAR on how to protect themselves from landmines.
AAR Japan is conducting activities to teach people how to avoid being harmed by landmines, unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other explosive devices.We use posters, show short films in villages, and radio broadcasts to make it easier for children to understand. We are also working on training local instructors who are in charge of mine avoidance education.We have reached more than 1 million people so far, about 60,000 people a year, with information on avoiding risk.
Inclusive education
A child learns the Braille alphabet using a teaching aid in which a ball can be inserted into a hole to make a large Braille letter.
We promote inclusive education so that children can learn at school regardless of their disabilities. We are working to install barrier-free facilities, support children with disabilities to enroll and attend school, and establish model schools where children with disabilities can receive basic education.
Mine clearance activities
The staff of THE HALO TRUST, an organization specializing in mine clearance.
Since 1999, we have supported mine and UXO clearance activities through THE HALO TRUST, an organization specializing in demining in the U.K. By the end of March 2021, we have secured the safety of approximately 29.92 million square meters of land, by clearing 13, landmines and 37,930 unexploded ordnance.
Major Activities in Past
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2002 - 2008
Operation of a
physical therapy clinic
We operated a physical therapy clinic so that Afghans with disabilities could receive physical therapy. About 32,000 people received treatment.
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2014
Support for flood victims
More than 125,000 people were affected by floods and landslides. We distributed mosquito nets and hygiene products in the affected areas.
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2017
Support for Afghan returnees
We provided food and daily necessities to particularly vulnerable households among returnees who returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan.