There are hundreds of non-governmental organizations (NGO's) working to help the people of Afghanistan, including secular, Islamic, and Christian groups. One NGO which has served the country since 1966 is the International Assistance Mission (IAM).  IAM is an international Christian non-profit organization which is trying to build capacity for the people of Afghanistan in the fields of Health Care and Economic Development.  With a staff of 500 Afghans and 60 internationals, IAM coordinates or community development projects in cooperation with the Afghan and local governments to help meet such basic needs as potable water and renewable energy. 

 

In addition, they have helped develop 4 eye hospitals across the country, and trained afghan ophthalmic technicians to operate additional eye clinics. IAM provides adult education to equip unemployed Afghans with the job skills; offers business development training for illiterate women to help them create home businesses using their handicraft skills to earn money; and runs English language training camps to help facilitate reconstruction.  IAM has also trained locals in the development of local health care delivery systems in orthopedic services for those disabled by the fighting, and initiated a mental health project to reduce the high suicide rate among women. In 2009, nineteen IAM projects in seven provinces helped over 270,000 Afghans. IAM policy prohibits them from furthering a particular political or religious viewpoint, and offers their assistance without regard to race, creed or nationality.

 

Tragically on 16 August, 2010, ten members of an IAM medical team of doctors and technicians, including six Americans and three women, were murdered by the Taliban in the Hindu Kush Mountains of northern Afghanistan. The Taliban "justified" this crime by accusing the team of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.