Afghanistan is struggling to recover from more than a quarter century of conflict, with violence still raging in parts of the country. It is one of the most heavily mined nations in the world and home to a booming narcotics trade. The country's infant mortality rates are among the highest in the world.

• Millions fled during the conflict
• 900 children die every day
• About 70,000 foreign troops

Billions of dollars have poured into rebuilding Afghanistan since the fall of the hardline Taliban regime in 2001. But many Afghans are frustrated at the pace of reconstruction, which has been dogged by security problems and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The Taliban were toppled by U.S. and mujahideen forces after they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, architect of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

They have since been fighting to oust tens of thousands of foreign troops and Afghanistan's new Western-backed government. Insurgents have launched a campaign of bomb attacks, ambushes and raids.

Fighting has escalated in the south and east and is now at its heaviest since 2001. Anger is growing in Afghanistan over the number of civilians who are getting killed by U.S. and NATO forces.

Aside from the Taliban, security officials also blame land disputes, banditry, the drugs trade and clan feuds for rising violence.

But there is some good news. Millions of former refugees have streamed back, the judiciary and army are being reconstituted and roads and hospitals rebuilt. Women, who were barred from education and jobs during the Taliban years, are now allowed to vote and have seats in parliament.

Average life expectancy (2005)	42.9 years (U.N. Human Development Report 2007/08)
Infant mortality rate out of 1,000 (2006)	165 (UNICEF State of the World's Children 2008)
Under five mortality rate out of 1,000 (2006)	257 (UNICEF State of the World's Children 2008)
Percentage of underweight under fives 2000-2006	39 (UNICEF, 2008)
People killed or injured by mines per month	67 (Landmine Monitor Report 2008)
Refugees still in Pakistan and Iran in 2007	3 million (UNHCR)