In 2018, the twin threat of insecurity and severe drought meant that more and more people were moving into the outskirts of Mazar to try and find safety and opportunities to provide for their family.

As a response to this need, 2018 saw the creation of the Mazar Livelihoods and Development Project (MLDP). MLDP was created as a pilot project to find out how to provide development support and help improve the livelihoods of the internally displaced people (IDPs) that are now moving to the outskirts of the city.

After a time of research, speaking with other organisations and visiting other project sites, staff selected an area on the edge of the city of Mazar.

As conflict, drought, and economic pressure continue to force people throughout Afghanistan to leave their home communities and as a big number of displaced people from across the north of Afghanistan have resettled on the outskirts of Mazar, we continue to partner with these community members and leaders to develop their ability to survive and make a life in their new home. We have also been working to raise awareness of the situation of IDPs and advocating for our partner communities, with the hope that relevant government entities and other NGOs will also get involved in supporting their long-term development.

MLDP facilitates a wide range of activities in our partner communities to improve the quality of life for these IDPs. From educating IDPs on different topics such as health, income generating skills, helping them to address their own problems, to showing them practical and productive ways to use their land, our aim is to see improvements in every sphere of project participants lives.