Photographs of the
Institute for Resource and Security Studies’
Health and Social Reconstruction in Afghanistan
Field Research in
Kabul, Afghanistan
January 2004

Photographs and text by IRSS Field Representatives

Kerry Saner and Palwasha Kakar

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View IRSS Report on"Health and Social Reconstruction in Afghanistan"

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Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan Kabul’s elevation is 5,876 feet in the mountains On average, people in Kabul begin seeing winter weather in November, and it lasts until March.
White tents where the recent "Loya Jirga" was held on the outskirts of Kabul University A mural representation of President Karzai Pictures of the late Ahmed Shah Masood are more commonly seen, reflecting fresh memories of recent conflicts
25 years of war have left its mark throughout Kabul Shelled out buildings A destroyed shopping mall
Dar-ul-Aman, the bombed out palace of King Amanullah War damaged buildings become makeshift homes and storefronts, especially for returning refugees. Some 2.5 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan in the last three years.
An abundance of Taxis crowd the streets as both Afghans and foreign organizations are returning to Kabul. Air pollution is becoming a health risk with the increased traffic Economic hardship is also a source of both health and security related concerns in this precarious unstable country.
Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is among the lowest in the world at 180-190 dollars, and the opium trade is worth over half of this GDP. Children vendors are a common sight A street barber. Sanitary health and public facilities continue to be an important need.
Many Landmines and Polio victims without limbs can be seen in Kabul. In 2002 alone, the ICRC recorded 1,286 new landmine/UXO casualties, although it is believed that many casualties are not reported. Rapidly increasing housing costs have kept many living on the mountainsides with no utilities. The Mikroyan Blocks, a middle class apartment complex
Mikroyan has a central heating system. However, many homes are heated with oil causing dangerous vapors. A 5-year drought has taken its toll on the Kabul river, also causing shortages of hydroelectric power But there are also many signs of hope. The colorful roadside markets were busy in preparation for the Eid celebration.

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