Afghanistan has been struggling for over twenty years with military conflicts and has, therefore, enormous needs as to basic infrastructure. The country is inhabited by numerous ethnic minorities (among others: Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazars). Religious situation is also quite complicated. The main religion is Islam, with a majority of Sunnis and about 20% of Shi'a community.

In 2005, it was possible to hold parliamentary and provincial council elections. Limited authority of the central government in Kabul is a persistent problem. The presence of the International Security Assistance Force and enlarging the territory of their activity, both raise hopes to improve security in this country. It has not been yet possible to control a serious problem of illegal drug production and widespread corruption.

Polish development assistance initiatives carried out in Afghanistan include:

• training sessions for staff; mainly technical support for civil service reform and co-operation with the Civil Services Commission;
• reconstruction and extension of public institutions (hospitals, heath centres, schools);
• mine clearance;
• development of agricultural activity;
• potable water supply;
• tax system reform.

The necessity to restore basic infrastructure in Afghanistan, the requirement to rebuild state administration structures and the existence of a high percentage of poverty, were the circumstances that triggered Poland's involvement in the development assistance provided to this country in 2006.

The key areas of support in 2006 included:

Construction of school facilities and water tanks in Afghanistan (Qaramqul, Jowzjan province)

The project foresaw a construction of school facilities and water tanks, and commenced in August 2006. In spite of numerous doubts resulting from the political situation in Afghanistan and security issues, the project was implemented in due time. Two thousand children will study in the newly built school facilities. Keeping in mind that so far a large number of girls were not able to receive education (due to lack of a separate school), it is very important that among students of the school there are also girls (about 500 of them).

Reconstruction and extension of an operation theatre in Mazar-e-Sharif

Balkh Provincial Hospital is the only health centre in northern Afghanistan, a region inhabited by almost 900 thousand people. The hospital was provided with medical equipment (with an all-purpose operating table, laparoscopy utensils and an ultrasonograph among other things), which made it possible to increase the number of general and specific surgeries. A fortnight-long training for Afghan medical doctors was also organised, and it dealt with general and laparoscopic surgery and hospital management.

Facilitating access to potable water for the inhabitants of Kapisa province in Afghanistan

This project, implemented by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, included the construction of eight water wells, two water tanks and a water supply system. Furthermore training sessions about hygiene issues were organised. Water wells are the only source of potable water in a very densely populated province of Kapisa (approximately 200 people per 1 square kilometre). The main goal of the project was to improve sanitary conditions in the region.