Mercy Corps team in northern Afghanistan

Mercy Corps International
Monday, 19 November 2001

Team looking for ways to aid formerly Taliban controlled Taloqan

Since November 12, a Mercy Corps assessment team has been on the ground evaluating the needs of the people and markets in the hard hit town of Taloqan in north Afghanistan

The team's arrival came just two days after the Northern Alliance drove the Taliban out of Taloqan. Until it's capture by the Taliban just a year ago, Taloqan was the Alliance headquarters and the economic hub of the whole northeast region of Afghanistan.

The Mercy Corps team reports that shops and markets are open despite the heavy fighting that took place in the area. The team is evaluating the needs of Taloqan not only for direct relief items, but also for innovative ways to stimulate these markets such as cash for work programs. This will bring more trade into the area and quicker rehabilitation.

This recent market information in Taloqan confirms findings in Mercy Corps' southern Afghanistan program centered around Kandahar where the hawala system (an ancient system of transferring funds) is operating and providing access to cash.

Once established, the Mercy Corps staff will enter outlying Taloqan areas with caution to glean information from local populations concerning mines and unexploded ordinance. However, villages on the former front lines and possible Taliban stragglers represent significant threats. Movement to these front line villages and remote areas to the west will not take place before Mercy Corps and colleague agencies can confirm safe routes. Mercy Corps is working with local and international partners to jointly assess the operational environment and the specific needs in the Taloqan area.

Mercy Corps' approach in Taloqan is in accordance to its overall mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

For more information, or to contact Mercy Corps International, see their website at: www.mercycorps.org