On August 15th, the world watched as the capital of Kabul fell to the Taliban, ending their months-long campaign to seize control of Afghanistan.
Recent context in Afghanistan
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As the political climate changes, Afghans face an uncertain future. The current crises of drought, food insecurity, inflation, and the collapse of the economy are exacerbated by the harsh winter.
Afghanistan is on the brink of the world's worst humanitarian crisis that could lead to unprecedented famine where more than half of the Afghan population will face hunger, a record of 22.8 million people according to the UN.
Now more than ever, it is essential that Afghans receive the help they desperately need.
Photo credit: Hedayat Hamid
Afghanistan: More Than Meets the Eye
In the days that followed, images of Afghans——desperate to flee, rushing the airport, clinging to airplanes, passing babies over barbed wire fences in anguished attempts to avoid an uncertain future, frantically pleading to board evacuation flights——flashed across TV screens worldwide. Tragic headlines dominated the news cycle, and the hope that had emerged over the last 20 years dimmed with the Taliban’s rapid return to power.
When one thinks of Afghanistan——dangerous, war-torn, demoralized——might be a few descriptors that come to mind. At Artijaan, we believe the uncertain reality faced by Afghans, although heartbreakingly true, is just one dimension of a complex and storied land. Afghanistan is so much more than meets the eye.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing lesser-known stories——stories that call attention to Afghanistan’s unique beauty, its cultural and historical significance, and the artisans whose creations we are delighted to bring to you.
In a nation often misunderstood and locked in an oversimplified narrative of war and strife, Afghan artisans bring nuance to the story——instilling pride and nourishing a new identity, one that celebrates the spirit of Afghan creativity and ingenuity.
Photocredit: Morteza Herati