Country Information
Founded: 1747
Independence (From British control): 1919
Land Area: 647,500 Square Kilometers (slightly smaller than the state of Texas)
Climate: Arid to semi arid (Desert-like conditions) with cold winters and hot summers
Agricultural Land Usability: 12.13%
Natural Hazards: Damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains, potential for flooding and drought conditions throughout the country.
Environmental issues: Limited fresh water resources, soil degradation, deforestation
The People
Population: 31,056,997
Infant Mortality Rate: 160 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 43 years
Major Diseases: High degree of risk; bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid, malaria and rabies
Religions: 99% Muslim
Literacy Rate: 36%
Unemployment rate: 40%
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 53%
Special Conditions
Roughly 300,000 persons are displaced as refugees because of heavy drought and military/political conflicts. These people are displaced mostly along the southern border with Pakistan.
The current political situation prohibits the intensive charitable/humanitarian work that is needed within the heart of the country.
Identifying the Need
The people of Afghanistan are in desperate need of food, education and shelter for the great number of refugees.
Vocational training will help identify new trades with the lack of agricultural resources as a method of stimulating the economy and re-employing sections of the population.
Well digging programs would help dry villages receive desperately needed water.
How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded
Ramadan Programs
For the last several years, The Zakat Foundation has distributed much-needed food to Afghanis in need. Additionally, we have provided Iftars to refugee camps so that everyone will have a well-prepared hot meal every day.
During Ramadan, please contribute for Iftar meals. Worldwide the average cost is only $2 per person. For $200 you can feed 100 people.
You can view more images of our Ramadan distributions here.
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Udhiya/Qurbani Distribution
Hundreds of people from Afghanistan benefit each year from our Udhiya/Qurbani. We slaughter and distribute rapidly and for some refugee camps we provide community meals so that 100% of the slaughter goes to those in the most need.
You can view more images of our Udhiya/Qurbani distributions here.
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Orphan Sponsorship
As in many countries, our orphan sponsorship in Afghanistan will provide for children who would have nothing otherwise. Through the refugee camps there are many orphans, we are blessed to be able to care for some of them.
Visit our Orphan Sponsorship page for more information on how you can make a difference in a child’s life.
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Food Distribution
In order to fill in the gaps created from a poor agricultural network, The Zakat Foundation distributes food to families in need.
A food kit to provide for a family of six for a whole month can be sponsored for $100.
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Hospital Projects and Medical Care
The need is great for a local clinic; we can establish one and operate it at the cost of $1,500 per month to serve a large number of people.
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Schooling and Education
At the Rumi International School we are able to provide the most complete education possible for Afghan refugees’ children. Here they have a chance to learn as many of their parents were never able. We believe that through education of the next generation we can change the entire region socially and economically as people will become independent thinkers and be more readily able to learn a trade skill.
You can sponsor the cost of Rumi school’s operations for $5,000 per month.
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Well Digging
The easiest source of Sadaqa Jariyah is one which is greatly needed in the rocky desert-like areas of Afghanistan. For only $3500 we can establish a well to serve an entire village with water for drinking or for crop irrigation.
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