Q. How does IAM relate to the Afghan Government?

A. IAM has worked in Afghanistan for over four decades. As an international NGO and guest in Afghanistan we are not involved in politics. We therefore relate to whichever government is in power. Our focus is on the Afghan people, particularly the poor.

Q. Surely your expatriate workers must command a high salary working in Afghanistan?

A. No, all our expatriate workers come as volunteers. Some spend their own money to live and work in Afghanistan. Others are supported by local community groups in their own countries who are interested in the development of the Afghan people. Most of the IAM professionals could earn 2-6 times as much if they worked at home or in Afghanistan for an international development agency.

Q. Why is it that not many people in Afghanistan know the name IAM?

A. Indeed, the name IAM is not widely known. The main reason is that most people know the NGO by its work, particularly the NOOR eye care programme. Many people in Afghanistan have benefited from the “shafakhana NOOR” project, the NOOR Eye Care Hospitals. Many more have heard of this programme.

Q. What is the difference between IAM and IOM?

A. People sometimes confuse the two organizations. IOM is the International Organization for Migration. It is a UN related that works all over the world (http://www.un.int/iom/) . IAM is the International Assistance Mission, an NGO that only works in Afghanistan.