In the news

Catch up on coverage of Afghanaid's work, staff, and our committed fundraisers in the news.

Afghanaid and The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal

Afghanaid were thrilled to be selected as one of the charities of the Times and Sunday Times Christmas appeal in December 2022. Launching with an opinion piece from Christina Lamb, the campaign also featured incredible stories from Catherine Philp, who visited our work in rural Afghanistan in December.

Catch up on all the coverage

Images: Richard Pohle/The Times, December 2022

BBC News with Lyse Doucet

For BBC News, our Director of Programmes Abdul Rahman Tariq toured our programmes in Ghor with internationally renowned journalist Lyse Doucet, speaking on the ongoing drought and food insecurity crisis gripping Afghanistan. Watch here from 1 min 14 secs:

"...the worst year we've ever seen..." the war against drought and hunger in #Ghor . With @jackwgarland @aamirPeerzadaa @Mahfouzzubaide1 ..with thanks to @Afghanaid #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/MvuZm74LbG
— lyse doucet (@bbclysedoucet) August 17, 2022

Fonzie and Rocco's 10 Peak Challenge: Blue Peter

Three- and six- year old brothers Rocco and Fonzie were awarded Silver Blue Peter badges by Joel Mawhinney (pictured) following their epic fundraising challenges for Afghanaid in 2021 and 2022. In their first fundraiser, Fonzie completed an epic kid-sized traithlon, and raised over £3,000. In their second challenge, the brothers took on a seven-day challenge which involved climbing the 10 tallest peaks in the North Yorkshire Moors - equalling the same height as Noshaq, Afghanistan's tallest mountain. They were deservedly featured on an episode of Blue Peter to talk about their epic and charitable adventures.

You can read an interview with the brothers in Teesside Live here.

The Independent Opinion Piece

Communities across Afghanistan have shown incredible resilience in the face of severe hunger, mounting debt and massive unemployment, but coping mechanisms within families and communities are stretched to breaking point.

Our Director of Programmes Abdul Rahman Tariq produced an opinion piece for the Independent, detailing the impact of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis that has taken its grip on the country this year, how NGOs like Afghanaid have continued to operate despite mounting challenges and outlining the devastating projections for the coming winter. Read the full piece here.

Fly With Me: Good Chance and Afghanaid's Kite-Flying Festival

Alongside Afghan artists and theatre company Good Chance, Afghanaid was thrilled to be the official charity partner of Fly With Me, an epic aerial act of solidarity and togetherness, celebrating the ancient Afghan craft of kite-making.

ITV News covered the joyful kite-flying festival on the 20th August - watch the full news story here.

Channel 5 News with Afghanaid's Managing Director Charles Davy

One year since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, millions are struggling through what's being called a "humanitarian catastrophe".@Afghanaid's Charles Davey joins us live from Kabul and talks to @tessa5news about the current situation in the country.#5News pic.twitter.com/NboVcRa1kR
— Channel 5 News (@5_News) August 15, 2022

Joint Letter in The Times

We urge the UK to step up by encouraging international partners to increase humanitarian funding to stave off the immediate crisis, and continue to support the funding of the World Bank’s development programmes.

In a joint letter to The Times, Afghanaid, along with a group of 32 NGOs warned the International Community not to abandon Afghans, but instead to take urgent action to increase funding, resolve the economic crisis and stand up for human rights in the country. You can read the full contribution here.

Afghanaid joins Chris Wright on the Wright on the Nail Podcast

Afghanaid's Chris Kinder and Kitty Chevallier joined Chris Wright on Wright on the Nail to discuss what has changed in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Their conversation ranges from some of the positive changes, including an increase in security and a decrease in corruption, as well as the devastating impact of a shrinking economy. Kitty also shares her personal experience as a Western women in Afghanistan.

They also discuss what the international community can do to help support people in Afghanistan over the long term. You can listen to the full episode here.

ITV News with Afghanaid's Kitty Chevallier

“We must not forget Afghanistan… the news stories will probably dry up before long, but our support must not."

Afghanaid's Kitty Chevallier was interviewed by ITV News following the harrowing scenes of evacuation seen at Kabul airport last year, in which she encouraged the international community to "increase, not cut" aid to Afghanistan.

Watch the full interview here.

Latest

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Climate Crisis in Afghanistan: A Humanitarian Emergency

Often, the human cost of the climate crisis is overlooked, but in Afghanistan, the climate emergency is directly causing an untold human emergency, exacerbating food insecurity, destroying homes and lands, and disrupting access to water. Join us as we highlight how proactive climate action can decrease the need for emergency humanitarian aid.
Afghanistan's returnee crisis continues as Pakistan announces second wave of deportations

Following Eid al-Fitr, the Pakistan government has announced its intentions to begin "phase two" of the expulsion of Afghan nationals from the country, leaving thousands of families with uncertain futures.
Despite good progress, Afghanistan's food security crisis lingers

An alarming 15 million people are currently food insecure in Afghanistan. Our Deputy Director for Climate Action, Guru Naik, discusses how Afghanaid has been providing large scale support for rural farming communities, improving the situation for many families - and what further work needs to be done.

The Climate Crisis in Afghanistan: A Humanitarian Emergency

Often, the human cost of the climate crisis is overlooked, but in Afghanistan, the climate emergency is directly causing an untold human emergency, exacerbating food insecurity, destroying homes and lands, and disrupting access to water. Join us as we highlight how proactive climate action can decrease the need for emergency humanitarian aid.
Afghanistan's returnee crisis continues as Pakistan announces second wave of deportations

Following Eid al-Fitr, the Pakistan government has announced its intentions to begin "phase two" of the expulsion of Afghan nationals from the country, leaving thousands of families with uncertain futures.
Despite good progress, Afghanistan's food security crisis lingers

An alarming 15 million people are currently food insecure in Afghanistan. Our Deputy Director for Climate Action, Guru Naik, discusses how Afghanaid has been providing large scale support for rural farming communities, improving the situation for many families - and what further work needs to be done.
Flash flooding sweeps Afghanistan, impacting thousands

Throughout the month of April, heavy rainfall has set off widespread flash flooding in more than 20 provinces of Afghanistan.
"The water crisis in Afghanistan is making the situation for women and girls much harder."

As the climate crisis tightens it's grip, water scarcity is an increasingly troubling issue across Afghanistan, especially for women and girls. Find out why.
Is Afghanistan on the cusp of another year of drought?

After months of decreased snowfall and mild temperatures over winter, experts fear Afghanistan may face another devastating drought this year.
Afghanaid named a finalist in the 2024 Charity Film Awards

We're thrilled to announce that our brand new film, 'Still Here', produced to mark 40 years of our life-saving and life-changing work in Afghanistan, has been shortlisted in the 2024 Smiley Charity Film Awards. Find out how you can watch, vote, and spread the word about our film!
Hope beyond the headlines: Positive stories from 2023

2023 was an extremely difficult year for families across Afghanistan. Whilst the headlines remain dire, there are also many stories of impact and hope worth reflecting on as we enter the new year.
Afghanaid supported over 447,000 women in Afghanistan in 2023

Afghanaid works alongside thousands of resilient Afghan women to enhance their economic engagement, inclusion in local governance and full participation in community life.
COP28: Key takeaways from this year's climate change conference

Held in Dubai, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference brought together key actors to discuss initiatives aimed at tackle climate change. Learn more about what happened at COP28 and how these plans may affect Afghan communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Leave A Legacy Gift In Your Will

For 40 years, we have worked every day to create a world full of possibility for families in Afghanistan. This is our legacy. What will yours be? Read more