Afghan weavers

Afghanistan's economy is slowly recovering from decades of conflict, and has improved significantly since the Taliban overthrow in 2001, largely due to the infusion of international assistance, improvement in the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Despite the progress of the last few years, however, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. The primary industries are small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food-products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement, hand woven carpets; natural gas, coal, and copper.

Most of the population suffers from the shortages of housing, potable water, electricity, medical care, and employment, so the standard of living for the people of Afghanistan remains among the lowest in the world. Per capita income was estimated at $1,000 for 2010, with more than 36% of Afghans living below the poverty line, and the government's continued inability to provide effective security or strong governance is a challenge to future economic growth. Although the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $67 billion at four donor conferences since 2002, the Afghan Government must overcome low revenue collection, anemic job creation, extensive corruption, limited governance, and decaying public infrastructure to overcome the rampant poverty which is exploited by the insurgents.

The Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) is money used by our combatant commanders for timely, small scale opportunities of immediate benefit to the local population, such as rebuilding public roads, repairing and constructing schools or medical clinics, and providing other humanitarian aid.  CERP money is a key to building trust with the people of Afghanistan, and encouraging them to reject the Taliban and begin rebuilding their nation.