Background:
Istalif District Estalef District is located in the northwestern part of Kabul Province, Afghanistan. It has a population of 8,500 (2002 official UNHCR est.), a mixture of Tajiks, Pashtuns and Hazaras.

The villages of the district used to have a population of about 36,000 people, and were filled with fruit trees, vineyards, and vegetable gardens. But when the villages were destroyed, thousands fled for their lives, leaving behind ghost settlements in the continuing wars. All agricultural, health and education infrastructures were destroyed. New schools and a health center have been built in the last few years. Many houses had been rebuilt and the bazaar is alive.