Soviet Withdrawal: Room for Missions in Afghan War?

As the world watches the Soviet military retreat from Afghanistan, Christian groups are considering how they might once more become involved in that war-torn country.

Of foremost concern is the struggle for power between the Soviet-backed Afghan regime in Kabul, and the Moslem rebels, or mujaheddin, who led the insurgency against the Soviets. While most Western missionaries left during the Soviet invasion more than a decade ago, a few stayed, working under the auspices of International Aid Mission (IAM). Richard Penner, director of that mission, told reporters that nearly all their people have left Afghanistan until conditions improve there.

It is not yet clear how hospitable either the current Communist government or a government that is led by the mujaheddin will be toward Christian missionaries. Many people are concerned that a resurgence of Muslim fundamentalism could be extremely hostile to the country’s Christians.

At the same time, there may be some openings. IAM has been in the country for many years and, among other things, runs a highly regarded eye hospital in Kabul. And for the past three years, the Oregon-based Christian group Mercy Corps has been working within Afghanistan providing emergency medical help. According to M. Y. Ayubi, an Afghan who heads Mercy Corps’s “Inside Operation,” the group has established 36 clinics in ten provinces.

Mercy Corps has also begun plans for an agricultural program and long-term development aid, including irrigation systems, crop production, and rebuilding devastated areas. “If we don’t move to help people help themselves, it will be too late,” Ayubi said.

In the meantime, the immediate crisis is the severe food shortage caused by years of war and a particularly difficult winter. United Nation officials say more than 30,000 children are at risk of major illness or death because of malnutrition and the deteriorating health conditions in Kabul.

Many Christian relief groups say they are willing to provide crisis help, but are waiting to see if that help will be welcomed by those struggling for power.

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