Afghanaid

#PlantForProsperity

Four decades of conflict, coupled with a changing climate and increasing natural disasters, have had a devastating impact on the people of Afghanistan and the natural environment, once pristine and rich in biological diversity. This makes finding food a major challenge and puts families at risk when unexpected crises like the pandemic occur. Now, as some countries tentatively make their way out of lockdowns, COVID-19 and its secondary effects are continuing to hit communities in Afghanistan who were already struggling.

The pandemic has resulted in a huge reduction of local job opportunities, putting increasing financial stress on families. Meanwhile, lockdowns and movement restrictions have disrupted food supply chains, driving a rise in food prices and leaving at least a third of the population with severe food shortages.

At-risk families need your help

Haji Nasruldeen (pictured) lives with his wife, Bibi Zalikha, their children, and his elderly mother in a remote rural village nestled in the rugged mountains of central Afghanistan. With many mouths to feed, life has not been easy for the 54-year-old and when COVID-19 hit, things became even harder.

When COVID-19 came to the country, our economic situation got even worse, and we were struggling to find food. I worried about what would happen if another flood or drought came.

With levels similar to those seen during the 2018 drought, Afghanistan now has the second highest number of people in crisis or emergency food insecurity in the world, and close to one in two children under the age of five are predicted to face acute malnutrition this year.

Our solution

Recognising the multiple, overlapping challenges facing people like Haji Nasruldeen, our teams have been providing at-risk families with emergency assistance to help them feed their families now, as well as the support they need to tackle the compounding effects of the pandemic and the climate crisis moving forward.

One of the ways we’ve been addressing these challenges is by providing safe, climate-smart work opportunities for men and women like Haji Nasruldeen and Bibi Zalikha, who’ve been working with their community to bring trees and crops back to local hillsides. As well as providing a vital source of income during the pandemic, we have equipped people across the country with the tools and skills they need to restore their local ecosystems, replant trees, adopt sustainable farming techniques, and start viable businesses of their own.

Led by local people, we’re building a more resilient future for Afghanistan, in which families have a reliable source of food and income, as well as the knowledge and wherewithal to protect the environment.

How your support could help

You can be part of the solution: we need your help to reach more people like Haji Nasruldeen. With just a bit of support, we can ensure families make it through this difficult time and build their resilience to future crises.

Amidst great uncertainty in Afghanistan, approximately six times the number of people in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021 as compared to four years ago, and the number of people in need has almost doubled in the past year alone. Together, we can make a real difference to these people.

The past year has incredibly been difficult, especially so for Afghan families like Haji Nasruldeen and Bibi Zalikha’s. A gift from you today, no matter how small or large, will help an at-risk family in Afghanistan to put food on the table, gain autonomy, and build a stronger, more prosperous tomorrow.