• Kabul during August 2000

• Children in Afghanistan, December 2001

• Maternal Health Projects in Kabul, November 2001

• People in Rustaq, January 2003

People in Rustaq, January 2003
Rustaq is the second largest district of Takhar province located in the Northeast of Afghanistan. This district is surrounded from the north by Shar-I-Buzurg of Badakhshan province, Chayab and Yangi Qala district on the east, it shares area with Kishem district of Badakhshan province on the west, the district links with Khawaja Ghar while on the south meets with Talokan and Kalafgon district. Before the war Rustaq was a calm and undeveloped district of the province, and a small number of educated civilians could be found among its pre-war population. 

It is estimated that around 160.000 people are now living in Rustaq district with its 173 villages. Farming and livestock are the main economic activities of the area. The main agricultural crops grown are wheat, barely, flux, chickpea and sesame. Farmers concentrate their efforts on those vegetables and farm products which require minimal water resources. The main fruits are apples, pears, grapes, almonds, walnuts, apricots, cherries and mulberries.

Local skills include blacksmith, carpenters, goldsmiths, leather processors, leatherworkers and tailors. Women are involved in embroidery, kelim weaving, poultry farming and livestock rearing. Education in Rustaq has suffered over the years as a result of the war and the economic deterioration over the past 23 years.

The administration system of the district is being controlled by former mujahideen commanders in what is referred to as the Jehadi system. This system operates through a network of local commanders and their deputies. The commanders do not have much relationship with government and provincial authorities.

Terre des hommes began to work with the Rustaq community in May 2000 and is nowadays implementing projects in the field of emergency intervention, humanitarian aid projects, primary health care, education, school construction, water & sanitation, maternal health and expanded programs of immunization for the whole district.