Zakat, an Islamic form of giving alms to those most in need, enables millions of people experiencing poverty across the world to receive urgent assistance. This year, a portion of our generous donors decided to use their Zakat funds to support vulnerable families in Afghanistan, with lifesaving results.

In line with our organisational Zakat policy, and overseen by community and religious leaders, these funds went directly to those who were unable to fulfil their most basic needs. This year, we were able to assist over 150 men, women and children in Samangan province, one of the countries most underserved regions, with emergency cash, enabling them to buy essential food and medicine for their families.

Layla's Story

Living in an isolated, impoverished village, mother of five Layla has always found it difficult to make ends meet. Together with her husband Abdul Razeq, who earns an insecure income as a daily labourer, they strive to always put food on the table, but they were forced to navigate great difficulty when their young son was diagnosed with blood cancer.

Only 8 years old, Layla’s son requires a blood transfusion every 20 days, with his father taking him to Balkh province each time for treatment. Without a stable income, and with unemployment rife, Abdul Razeq and Layla were left in an impossible situation.

"I don’t have any income that would meet my life’s needs,” Layla told us, “And my husband does not have much income to meet our life’s needs and treatment cost of my son. My husband earns 200-300 Afghani as daily income.”

When Afghanaid visited the family’s village to deliver emergency financial assistance under Zakat eligibility requirements, Layla quickly spoke to the local team and was enrolled the project. Receiving 4930 Afghani, Layla and Abdul Razeq were supported to meet their family's basic needs, whilst also ensuring their young son’s lifesaving treatment continued. Layla spoke to us about what this support meant to her and her family:

With this money we bought our necessities, such as oil, rice, potato, tomato and other essentials. I am very happy and satisfied with Afghanaid, I want to say special thanks to Afghanaid office for helping vulnerable families.

Iman's Story

Caring for others has been central to mother of four Iman's whole life. With two of Iman's children living with mental disabilities, and with her husband now elderly and unable to work, Iman spends all of her time looking after others, whilst also attempting to find ways for the family to earn an income. One of Iman’s sons is able to find casual employment, but reliant on unstable daily wage work, he does not earn enough to ensure the family can make ends meet, leaving the family facing hunger and malnutrition. 

Worried for her family's future and determined to find a way to look after her loved ones, when Iman heard that Afghanaid was delivering support to vulnerable families in her community, she immediately notified them of her situation.

One month ago Afghanaid...gave me assistance from the Zakat fund”, Iman recalled, “I bought flour, rice, beans, and I am very happy from this assistance, which was able to solve our basic needs.

Now able to look after her family once more, Iman is able to look towards the future. Without the generosity of those who donated to Afghanaid's Zakat appeal, this would not have been possible. 

“I am very happy after the assistance of Afghanaid, who took my hand in a bad situation”