MEPO in Afghanistan - History of Involvement and Past Activities

In May 2000, MEPO made a trip to Afghanistan to explore the possibility of offering medical and educational aid to the people in Afghanistan and refugees living in camps in Pakistan. This trip turned out to be the start of a huge effort involving a number of additional trips on the part of MEPO to help the people there who were living in extremely harsh and deprived conditions.

During trips in May 2000, May 2001, and winter 2001/2002, MEPO ran a wide range of activities, including:

* conducting numerous health camps throughout villages in Afghanistan and in refugee camps, serving over 1500 patients with free check-ups and medicines

* establishing 14 girls home schools in Afghanistan during the time of the Taliban, providing for education for over 400 girls

* establishing and supporting girls schools in refugee camps in Pakistan

*providing vocational and small enterprise training and equipment in carpet weaving, tailoring and handicrafts for widowed women

* conducting health and hygiene trainings in refugee camps and in Afghanistan

* establishing and supporting two mother-child care clinics in remote areas of eastern Afghanistan

Many of these activities and projects were in direct response to the needs of people during the time of the Taliban, or were short-term projects.

However, even after the end of the Taliban rule, the mother-child care clinics are still vitally needed and have continued to be supported by MEPO through the support of its donors