After more than three decades of conflict, violence is still raging in much of Afghanistan. It is one of the most heavily landmined nations in the world and home to a booming narcotics trade. The country’s infant mortality rate is among the highest in the world.
Millions uprooted by the conflict
One of world’s highest child death rates
About 130,000 foreign troops
Billions of dollars have been poured into rebuilding Afghanistan since the fall of the hardline Taliban regime in 2001. But many Afghans are frustrated at the pace of reconstruction, which has been dogged by security problems and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The Taliban were toppled by U.S. and mujahideen forces after they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda leader behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
They have since been fighting to oust tens of thousands of foreign troops and Afghanistan’s Western-backed government. Conflict has escalated and spread since 2006.
Security officials also blame land disputes, banditry, the drugs trade and clan feuds for rising violence.
Aid agencies struggle to access most of the country, especially rural areas where the needs are greatest.
But there is some good news. Millions of former refugees have streamed back – more than 5.7 million refugees had returned between 2002 and the end of 2011 – the judiciary and army are being reconstituted, and roads and hospitals rebuilt. Women, who were barred from education and jobs during the Taliban years, are now allowed to vote and have seats in parliament.
