Considered one of the poorest countries in the world, 72 percent of the population of Afghanistan currently lives in poverty. A number of factors contribute to this: political instability, food insecurity, dependence on foreign aid, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participation of women in society and access to good education for girls is a continued area of concern. The country is also adversely affected by global warming, which has caused drought and led to loss of crops and livestock. Additionally, insecurity and violence has displaced millions of Afghan people, both inside and outside the country.

Islamic Relief’s Response to Current Situation for Families in Afghanistan and Refugees in the U.S.

IRUSA has made a commitment of $2.1 million to help people in Afghanistan and refugees arriving in the U.S. Through our regional offices in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, and Nangar-har provinces, we are working to distribute the following items:

• Food aid to those suffering from hunger
• Water storage units and hygiene kits to displaced families
• Essential non-food items, like cooking pots, utensils, pots, soaps and detergents, solar-powered lamps, towels, and more
• Family-sized emergency tents and the necessary tools for pitching

As Afghanistan experiences some of the worst food insecurity in the world, on Oct. 10, Islamic Relief (IR) Afghanistan was able to distribute food packages to families in need.

IR Afghanistan will begin winterization and health projects in the country with support from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Furthermore, emergency relief items from IR Pakistan will be transported across the border for distribution. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

For Afghan families that are now in the United States, our teams are working with partners to reach families and provide them with support and essential items to help them as they arrive and transition to a life in our communities. Here are some of the ways we are working on these efforts now (and remember to stay tuned to this page for more information as it develops):

• Providing food aid including 10,000 food boxes containing nutrient-dense dry food items for resettled Afghan refugee families
• On arrival, we’re working with the United Way of the National Capital Area (NCA) to provide greeting/service orientations, transportation from the airport, interpreters, and pre-paid debit cards to purchase essential items
• Engaging our local refugee network to give much-needed resources that assist with local resettlement efforts
• Creating an IRUSA guide on religious and cultural sensitivities for Afghan refugees for use by other humanitarian organizations
• Distributing essential hygiene and sanitation items including hygiene kits, socks, underwear, soap, hand sanitizer, and masks
• Working with shelters and religious leaders to ensure newly-arriving families receive the sheltering, emotional care, spiritual care, and cultural items they need like the 500 prayer mats we delivered to Afghan refugee families
• We’re advocating and amplifying the voices of our Afghan brothers and sisters and you can get involved
• We’re also working to provide legal support and financial aid for refugee families in the near future

Your advocacy, volunteerism, and donations are how we can help support and get aid to Afghan families who are in desperate need right now. Click below to take action today, and stay tuned to this page for more information as it becomes available.