The Situation in Afghanistan, as of 2001
War, poor health care, poverty, an education system in shambles...
The children of Afghanistan face a wide variety of struggles on a day-to-day basis. The future of this desperate country is in the hands of these children. How can we hope for peace tomorrow if conditions do not improve today? The cycle of despair, anger and violence can only be broken if the future leaders of Afghanistan can learn and grow in a healthy and safe environment. An investment in their education now is an investment for future generations.
According to the Afghan Embassy, the number of males over the age of 14 who can read and write is estimated to be 47.2%, compared to only 15% of females over the age of 14. No formal education system has been in place since the collapse of the Soviet-backed government in 1992, and more than 3,000 schools have been either damaged or abandoned.
In addition, the deterioration of the country's health-care infrastructure has resulted in a lower life expectancy, and higher infant and maternal mortality rates than most other developing countries.
As United States citizens, we strongly condemn the evil acts of September 11, 2001. It is both a national and international tragedy. Today, the people of the U.S., the people of Afghanistan, and the entire international community face a major challenge-restoring peace and rebuilding a country that has been destroyed by 21 years of war that have produced unparalleled human suffering.
The following are some shocking facts about Afghanistan:
- During the past 21 years, more than 5.5 million people had to leave their homes to seek asylum in Iran, Pakistan and other countries. The government of Pakistan estimates that 3.2 million Afghans are registered as refugees in their country.
- Over 70% of the displaced population are women and children.
- More than three million children among the disabled population will require extensive health care.
- As a result of the deterioration of the national health care infrastructures, infant mortality rates have increased from 10 (prewar time) to more than 220 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate was found to be more than 100 per 10,000 births, 4.5 times higher than that of other developing countries.
- Over the past 21 years, particularly in the time of Taliban rule, More than 3,000 schools have been either damaged or abandoned.
- During the past 21 years, especially during the civil war that occured between 1992 and 2001, over 90% of the skilled labor force left the country.
- Afghanistan has no railway system, and is a landlocked country. The years of war have extensively damaged primary and secondary road networks, which are the country's sole means of transportation.
Twenty-one years of war have devastated the agricultural economy of Afghanistan; there are millions of mines placed in agricultural fields. All of Afghanistan is in need of help to restore peace and stability and to preserve the future. For these reasons, we have formed the non-profit organization Partnership For Education of Children in Afghanistan (PECA).