Afghanistan

Life is dire for children in Afghanistan, more than a year since the Taliban took control of the country. Children are facing extreme hunger, exploitation, no education, endless disease outbreaks and, for many children, death.

Crippling drought and the economic crisis are pushing Afghanistan to the brink of collapse, with food prices, unemployment and poverty skyrocketing. 18.9m children and adults are facing severe food shortages.

Children are going to bed hungry night after night, and girls are reporting this almost twice as much as boys.

Eight million girls and boys in Afghanistan need support to stay in school. Secondary school girls are banned from attending classes and many teacher’s salaries have not been paid for months. The economic crisis is also pushing children out of school, with many households unable to pay for transport, supplies, or the burqas and hijabs now required for girls.

They’re exhausted, wasting away, unable to play or study – not to mention, sad, worried and scared.

Since September 2021, we've reached more than 3.3 million people with our life-saving services, including 1.8 million children.

We've:

• Delivered primary, newborn and maternal health services, treated malnutrition and given mental health support
• Provided community-based education to primary-aged boys and girls, as well as trained teachers and provided essential teaching and learning materials
• Distributed cash and basic supplies like shelter materials, warm clothing, blankets and hygiene essentials
• Screened and treated children and breastfeeding women suffering from malnutrition 
• Provided safe spaces for children to play, learn and get support to recover, through community-based education classes. 

In the UK, we’re working closely with other children’s charities for Afghanistan - to provide holistic support for refugees.

We hope to offer cash vouchers, toys and learning packs to families staying in bridging hotels.

And we’ve developed training to help community workers better support Afghan asylum seekers and refugees.

2022 Afghanistan earthquake

In 2022 Afghanistan was hit by its worst earthquake in two decades.

It reportedly killed over 1000 people, and injured at least 1,500.

Our team in Afghanistan will traveled to some of the worst-hit areas to assess the damage.

We transported emergency supplies - like blankets, children's clothes and tarpaulins - to children and families who need them. We're also provided cash assistance, which is so important in crises like this when families have lost everything.

Your support can help children and families devastated by disaster - like the earthquake in Afghanistan - to stay safe and healthy.

Please donate to our Emergency Fund

Our Emergency Fund lets us to respond to disasters like this around the world. Immediately. 

Page last updated January 2023