Afghan conflict fuelled by poverty, unemployment: Oxfam report

Eight non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan interviewed 704 women and men living in 14 provinces across the country, asking them about their individual experience of war. The report found:

· One in five (21%) individuals reported being tortured.

· More than one in ten (13%) individuals reported being imprisoned.

· Three in four people (76%) reported being forced to leave their homes at some point during the conflict. Of these, 41% were internally displaced, 42% were externally displaced and 17% were both internally and externally displaced.

• Approximately two in five (43%) individuals reported having property destroyed, a quarter (25%) land destroyed and one in three (34%) were robbed during the conflict.
• Seven in ten (70%) individuals saw unemployment and poverty as a major cause of the conflict, while almost half (48%) pointed to the corruption and ineffectiveness of the Afghan government. Other factors that individuals identified as major drivers of the conflict were: the Taliban (36%); interference by other countries (25%); Al Qaeda (18%); the presence of international forces (18%); lack of support from the international community (17%); warlords (15%); and criminal groups (14%).

By giving voice to average Afghans, who are often hard to reach or slow to trust, the groups were able to gain insight into the current conflict and learn what the average Afghan recommends for ending the violence and addressing its root causes.

The report illustrates the depth of devastation the country has suffered and hints at the long, slow steps that will have to be taken for the country to recover.

It also makes a series of recommendations to the Afghan government, the international community, pro-government forces and anti-government elements, including offering more effective aid, less targeting of civilians and more judicious use of night raids and air strikes.

'Repairing this damage can't be done overnight," said Grace Ommers, Oxfam country director for Afghanistan. "It will take a long time for the economic, social and psychological scars to heal. The international community has to recognize this, and to understand that Afghanistan needs more than military solutions. It needs support for agriculture, better infrastructure and schools and health services must improve."