Afghanistan: Development in Action

10 November 2006

True life accounts of the impact of the UK’s development programme in Afghanistan

Photographer Nick Danziger and Journalist Gordon Adam were commissioned by the Department for International Development to provide an insight into how Afghans have benefited from the UK's development assistance over the past five years. The stories told and photographs taken reveal stories that have not always been visible behind the current media coverage of violent conflict in Afghanistan.

Amongst the fourteen profiles is a woman development worker with political aspirations, who had stood against a former President of the country in the parliamentary elections, a former child soldier turned policeman now guarding one of Afghanistan’s most important archaeological sites, a young woman reporter hosting a radio programme for teenagers, and a farmer who reckons that bee-keeping is altogether a better way of life than growing opium.

You will find their personal stories in DFID’s new publication: Afghanistan: Development in Action(1.9 mb)

Photo exhibition - 'Behind the Headlines: Afghan lives'

To launch the booklet DFID are presenting a free exhibition of images taken by Nick Danziger, award winning photo journalist, writer and documentary-maker. You can visit London’s HOST Gallery from 7-18 November to view these photos, taken from across Afghanistan during the project.

Behind the headlines: Afghan lives(150 kb)

Six Afghans and their stories of progress

	"People...said I should be burned because I wanted a job outside the home."  Rohgul, Programme worker		"I used to work on a farm, now I lease...land and employ my own labourers."  Fazeleddin, Beekeeper
	"I can speak with people from all walks of life, about what they feel and think."  Malalai, Editor and journalist		"Now the children learn from each other as well as me, and they learn better." Mahmoud Khan, Teacher
	"I am an employed person.  Everyone respects me now."  Juma Khan, Shepherd and veterinary worker		"Now we have a clinic and when we get ill...we can get help."  Kubra, Tailoring teacher

Links

• Afghanistan country profile
• UK signs 10-year partnership arrangement with Afghanistan
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Afghanistan
• Ministry of Defence in Afghanistan
• BBC Country Profile: Afghanistan

Last updated: 10 November 2006

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