Human Security, Vulnerability and Development in Afghanistan

Description

Based on evidence from three case studies in Northern Afghanistan, the concept of human security is discussed and tested as a suitable approach to support sustainable development efforts. In
the rain-fed area of Ishkamesh, vested interests of competing groups for scarce resources hamper efforts for risk reduction and food security. Attempts to negotiate a niche production by Pashtun pastoralists support evidence for a successful ‘re-nomadization’ strategy despite risks and threats along the migration routes. The Afghan-German Public-Private Partnership endeavour to re-establish the Baghlan Sugar Factory is a case in point to demonstrate the problems of a top down development approach that avoids people’s participation in the value chain of sugar production. Human security as a development policy has not improved welfare and personal security among marginalized Afghan populations, but represents a useful approach for assessing livelihood and risk management strategies.