PRESS RELEASE: One year since Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Afghanaid joins a network of 32 Afghan and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) urging the International Community not to abandon Afghans

A year on from the Taliban takeover, for many millions of men, women and children in Afghanistan, the humanitarian emergency to which the world responded so generously last year has not gone away. In fact, near-record low precipitation recorded in many parts of Afghanistan this year, combined with ongoing economic collapse, existing acute food insecurity and debt means as we approach another harsh Afghan winter, the situation in the country is set to become even more dire.

Currently, 92% of Afghan families are not eating enough food, and this percentage rises to almost 100% in families headed by women. Afghanaid has been able to reach over 1.4 million people with emergency assistance since August 2021, but families continue to urgently need support to get back on their feet and prepare for the bitter winter months.

Charles Davy, Managing Director at Afghanaid said:

“The resilience that communities across Afghanistan have shown in the face of severe hunger, mounting debt and massive unemployment over the past year has been astounding. But many families are now stretched to breaking point. The continuing drought and economic collapse mean the possibility of famine this coming winter is progressively likely. 

“A coordinated injection of funds from the international community, for both lifesaving humanitarian relief and longer-term development projects that will support recovery, is now absolutely necessary to avoid catastrophe. At this critical juncture in the country’s history, the warm and proud people of this troubled land deserve better, and the international community must do its utmost to help all the people of Afghanistan overcome the massive challenges confronting them.”

Afghanaid, along with a group of 32 NGOs have 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.

Read the joint press release in full

ENDS

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For more information, please contact:

• Kate Arthur, Head of Communications and Giving [email protected];
• Call +44 (0) 207 916 9883 or email [email protected].

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Notes to editors:

About Afghanaid

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. Since 1983, our dedicated staff have worked with millions of families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. We build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies in pursuit of a peaceful and thriving Afghanistan.

Since August 2021, Afghanaid has supported over 1,400,000 men, women, boys and girls across the country with emergency humanitarian assistance to help combat rising food insecurity in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

In the past 3 years, Afghanaid has supported more than 1,161,000 women to enhance their economic engagement, inclusion in local governance and full participation in community life.

For more information about our work, visit our website www.afghanaid.org.uk, or follow us on Twitter @Afghanaid or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and TikTok.