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1992/1993
Afghanaid began beekeeping projects to help families increase their incomes and improve their standard of living. We also began a programme of rebuilding homes destroyed by war.
Fifty colonies of bees were purchased in Pakistan and transported to Badakhshan in the far north-east of Afghanistan in 1992 and 1993. Before distributing the hives, 20 farmers were trained. A two week course had been planned, but the farmers were so quick and keen to learn, that everything was covered in a week. Most of the hives were sold to local families for a nominal charge, but many more wanted to buy them. The hives were an instant success and by late 1994, the number of hives had been increased to 98, shared among 28 families. Honey production from the hives totalled over one metric tonne. Since then beekeeping has become an integral part of Afghanaid's long-term programme in Badakhshan.
In 1992/93 Afghanaid helped 437 families in Kapisa province to rebuild their war damaged homes. Each family was provided with roof beams, doors and window-frames, once they had rebuilt the walls of their houses. As well as helping with the rebuilding of homes, Afghanaid built flood protection walls to protect the newly built homes from damage during the flood season.
During 1993, many refugees were returning to Afghanistan from Iran. In a joint programme with Christian Aid, Oxfam, the Refugee Council and the United Nations, Afghanaid assisted over 5,500 families in returning to their homes. Each family was provided with shovels, buckets and pick-axes to help them rebuild their homes. Later families were given wheat enabling them to survive the first months as they worked to get their farms going.
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