Families across Afghanistan are asking for our attention and compassion right now: An estimated 270,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country since January 2021—primarily due to insecurity and violence—bringing the total uprooted population to more than 3.5 million people. Families are forced to flee their homes in recent weeks have cited the worsening security situation as the predominant reason for their flight.
All this as Afghanistan sits on the brink of famine. This June, Afghanistan officially fell into drought, making rough conditions even worse: “The drought has also exacerbated the hard living conditions in a country that is grappling with escalating conflict, COVID-19, and crippling poverty. COVID-19 cases have steadily risen since mid-May 2021, with compounding socioeconomic impacts,” according to ReliefWeb. And now, more and more of the country has been moving into crisis mode with regard to food insecurity.
Basic living standards in Afghanistan are among the lowest in the world. Yet experts stress that the latest poverty numbers should serve as a call to action, not a reason for despair:
- 9.4 million people require humanitarian and protection assistance (ReliefWeb, 2020)
- Afghanistan is experiencing stagnating economic growth (World Bank)
- Escalation of violence, loss of essential livelihood, and little to no access to basic services are major concerns (Relief Lab)
The country and its people are also adversely affected by global warming: Research suggests that climate issues, like drought, is alarmingly linked to changes in climate. Many displaced families lost all crops and livestock, and struggled to survive cold winters in makeshift tents.
With all this considered, one thing remains clear: The people of Afghanistan are resilient and, with the support of donors like you, families in need there can access opportunities to break the chains of poverty and move toward success.
Poverty and Climate Will Not Hold Them Down
Basic living standards in Afghanistan are among the lowest in the world. Yet experts stress that the latest poverty numbers should serve as a call to action, not a reason for despair:
- More than half the Afghan population now lives below the national poverty line, a sharp drop in the past five years (Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey, 2018)
- Afghanistan is experiencing stagnating economic growth (World Bank)
- 6.3 million people require humanitarian and protection assistance (ReliefWeb, 2019)
- Escalation of violence, loss of essential livelihood, and little to no access to basic services are major concerns (Relief Lab)
The country and its people are also adversely affected by global warming: Research suggests that climate issues, like a recent drought, is alarmingly linked to changes in climate. Many displaced families lost all crops and livestock, and struggled to survive cold winters in makeshift tents.
With all this considered, one thing remains clear: The people of Afghanistan are resilient and, with the support of donors like you, families in need there can access opportunities to break the chains of poverty and move toward success.
We Need YOUR Help
As much as we’ve been able to accomplish, there is still so much more to do. If we work together—with YOU—we can make the vision of better Afghanistan a reality for so many more of our sisters and brothers in need.
$75 can deliver hygiene and water storage kits for a displaced family in Afghanistan
$100 can provide essential non-food items to a displaced family in Afghanistan
$150 can send urgent food aid for a displaced family
$225 can support programs for vulnerable children
$500 can implement livelihood programs for widows and orphaned families
$750 can provide a family with emergency shelter