ARZU + Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN + ARZU STUDIO HOPE

FACTS AT A GLANCE

All facts from CIA World Fact book: *2009, †2008, ‡2007

CROSSROADS OF RICH CULTURE + STARK CONTRASTS

Afghanistan is located at the intersection of Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East and is bordered today by Iran to the West, Pakistan to the South and East and parts of the former Soviet Union—Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan—to the North. Roughly the size of Texas, Afghanistan is home to some of the most remarkable, but inaccessible mountain terrain in the world.

View Map of Afghanistan

Migrant Aryan tribes first settled near the Hindu Kush some 5,000 years ago in what is now known as Afghanistan, to begin a way of life that produced two major religions: Brahmanism and Zoroastrianism. From these, schools of art and literature flourished, as did trade. Afghanistan’s strategic position at the crossroads of the famed Silk Road made it attractive to an ethnically diverse group of visitors and nomads -- many of whom settled in the country, bringing with them the artistic skills to create beautiful buildings, tile mosaics and, especially, hand-knotted rugs. The location also led to invasion by many of the great empires, from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan. Dynasties in Afghanistan have ruled land extending across parts of present-day China, Russia, India and Iran. Modern-day Afghanistan is the result of this rich, complex and diverse history.

THE TRAGIC IMPACT IN RECENT YEARS

In the 1960s and 70s, Afghanistan continued to attract travelers and global backpackers, who found a friendly, beautiful and hospitable place to explore. It was known for it’s fertile valleys, dramatic mountains, delicious fruits and generous people. Afghan men and women attended Kabul University, often wore Western clothing, and cafes were filled with young people sharing ideas.

This optimistic era ended with the 1978 Marxist coup, leading to the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. The ensuing 23 years of conflict, which included ousting the Russians, civil war and Taliban rule from 1996-2001, have left a devastating legacy. By the time the Taliban was driven from power, Afghanistan was left shattered--with its infrastructure, civil society, economy, environment, healthcare and educations systems shattered and with the distinction of being the most heavily land-mined country in the world. The most vulnerable member of society, women and children, suffered disproportionately. Even today, Afghanistan struggles to recover, as so clearly demonstrated by many key indicators.

POVERTY RANKING

Afghanistan is among the poorest nations in the world, ranking 181 out of 182. (United Nations Human Development Report, 2009)

WATER & RESOURCES

Only 17% of rural Afghans have access to safe water, only 25% to adequate sanitation and only 6% to electricity (UNICEF, 2006)

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment stands at roughly 40%, due to the lack of realistic alternative sources of livelihood in rural areas. (CIA, 2008 estimated) Watch groups estimate that the illegal poppy economy fills this wide void and accounts for over one half of Afghanistan’s GDP. Yet, according to the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation & Development, the rug industry is Afghanistan’s best short-term prospect for re-establishing global trade relations. Carpet making, which employs herders, clippers, spinners, dyers, graphers, weavers, finishers, drivers, and others, presents opportunities for employment, particularly in rural areas where unemployment is so high.