Historical Overview
SERVE's Activities - An Overview
Before the Russian invasion in 1979, Afghanistan was
attempting to improve its socio-economic development
in many ways (infrastructure, education, health care, and
agricultural and industrial production). Since 1979 these
attempts have come to a standstill, and much of what
had been achieved was either destroyed or fell apart. In
addition, twenty years of war has caused lots of damage
and human suffering. At the fall of the Soviet backed
communist government in 1992, the fighting continued
between Mujahadeen factions. 1994 saw the emergence
of a new group, the Taliban who took control of the
majority of the country. Millions of citizens, many of whom
were educated and economically well off, have fled the
country.
attempting to improve its socio-economic development
in many ways (infrastructure, education, health care, and
agricultural and industrial production). Since 1979 these
attempts have come to a standstill, and much of what
had been achieved was either destroyed or fell apart. In
addition, twenty years of war has caused lots of damage
and human suffering. At the fall of the Soviet backed
communist government in 1992, the fighting continued
between Mujahadeen factions. 1994 saw the emergence
of a new group, the Taliban who took control of the
majority of the country. Millions of citizens, many of whom
were educated and economically well off, have fled the
country.
SERVE Afghanistan
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historical overview
In the fall of 2001 the Taliban were defeated by the
Northern Alliance and from December 2001 until June
2002 the Afghan Interim Administration controlled the
struggling country. In June 2002, a president was
appointed to lead the country for 18 months. Thousands
of Afghans are now returning to their country, their hopes
and visions renewed.
SERVE was founded in 1972 to assist victims of a
famine in Ghor province, Afghanistan. It was
re-established in 1980 and worked among the many
Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Since 1992, when many
refugees began returning to their country, SERVE has
shifted its focus to work inside Afghanistan. In December
1998, SERVE's activities in refugee camps in Pakistan
closed down completely.
Northern Alliance and from December 2001 until June
2002 the Afghan Interim Administration controlled the
struggling country. In June 2002, a president was
appointed to lead the country for 18 months. Thousands
of Afghans are now returning to their country, their hopes
and visions renewed.
SERVE was founded in 1972 to assist victims of a
famine in Ghor province, Afghanistan. It was
re-established in 1980 and worked among the many
Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Since 1992, when many
refugees began returning to their country, SERVE has
shifted its focus to work inside Afghanistan. In December
1998, SERVE's activities in refugee camps in Pakistan
closed down completely.
The shift of focus from refugee work in Pakistan to
rehabilitation and development inside Afghanistan was
not only a geographical change, but at the same time a
shift from more relief oriented work to more development
activities. Some of the sectors in which SERVE works are
the same as those in which SERVE was active in the
refugee camps: blind rehabilitation, health education,
use of solar energy, reforestation/fruit tree growing and
relief work. These are needy sectors inside Afghanistan
as well, and SERVE is effectively using the experience
and expertise acquired over the years. However, to meet
additional needs, new activities were added: deaf
rehabilitation, functional literacy, community based rural
development, and prevention of blindness.
rehabilitation and development inside Afghanistan was
not only a geographical change, but at the same time a
shift from more relief oriented work to more development
activities. Some of the sectors in which SERVE works are
the same as those in which SERVE was active in the
refugee camps: blind rehabilitation, health education,
use of solar energy, reforestation/fruit tree growing and
relief work. These are needy sectors inside Afghanistan
as well, and SERVE is effectively using the experience
and expertise acquired over the years. However, to meet
additional needs, new activities were added: deaf
rehabilitation, functional literacy, community based rural
development, and prevention of blindness.
