Support for Afghanistan

Thank you for your support of ActionAid's work in Afghanistan. I'm writing to share a story about a sustainable livelihoods program aimed at empowering Afghan women.

Afghanistan is a predominantly agricultural country, where the livelihoods of most of the population depend on farming and agricultural production. Despite making up half of the population, women remain significantly underrepresented in business and economic activities. To address this disparity and promote women’s economic empowerment, ActionAid has launched targeted initiatives that have facilitated the establishment of small-scale honeybee farming enterprises for nearly 200 women in the Khamard District of Bamiyan Province. Through this initiative, each participant received six beehives, essential beekeeping tools, and comprehensive training, enabling them to establish and manage their own sustainable businesses.

Hasina, a resident of Khamard District, is one of the many women whose life has been transformed through this program. Before joining the beekeeping project, she was a full-time housewife, managing household chores while her family endured severe financial hardship. With her husband working as a taxi driver and serving as the sole breadwinner, their income was barely enough to cover even half of the household’s basic needs. “Our life was very difficult, and our children were deprived of education due to our dire financial situation. My husband struggled to meet even the minimal household expenses,” Hasina recalls.

 Today, Hasina proudly identifies as an entrepreneur. Through her beekeeping business, she has not only contributed to her family's financial stability but also created new opportunities for her children’s education. She is now able to cover school expenses and meet their educational needs. Initially provided with six beehive boxes, Hasina now owns eight and plans to expand further. She is proud of her progress and deeply satisfied with how her life has changed.

 “Compared to before, our lives have improved significantly. We are now financially self-sufficient, and both my husband and I live a much more comfortable life,” she shares. Hasina dreams of expanding her beekeeping farm even further and hopes that one day her honey products will become a well-known brand across Afghanistan.

Hasina’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of women’s economic empowerment that also serves as an inspiration to other women in her community.

Thank you for your support of this project, I’m writing to share some updates on ActionAid’s work in Afghanistan. Since 2023, ActionAid has reached roughly 3.7 million people with a variety of essential services, following decades of conflict, political instability, economic challenges, natural disasters, and climate change.

Since May 2024, specifically, heavy rainfall and flooding affected over 59,100 people (8,668 families) in Afghanistan's northern, northeastern, and western regions. The disaster has resulted in 225 confirmed deaths, with 217 more injured. Over 2,800 homes were destroyed and 4,069 damaged, with significant impacts on infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, and community-based education classes.

The floods have caused devastating consequences for people's lives, including loss of life, displacement, and widespread damage to homes. Additionally, the economic and agricultural toll has been significant, with crops destroyed and livestock killed. On top of this, restrictions placed on women and girls have further hindered their ability to access vital assistance and basic services.

According to a survey conducted by ActionAid, the major needs identified were:

• Immediate food (both cooked meals and dry rations)
• Nonfood items (NFIs)
• WASH kits, clothing /blankets, and essential household items
• Safe drinking and domestic water
• Hygiene/dignity kits for women & girls
• Psychosocial support (especially for families who have lost their loved ones)
• Temporary tent shelters and house repairs
• Medical support
• Disinfection from water borne diseases
• Rehabilitation of farmland and agriculture support

ActionAid’s response efforts have been carried out across four provinces—Herat, Ghor, Nangarhar, and Laghman—areas heavily impacted by flooding, as assessed by both UNOCHA and our own internal evaluations.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to reach 547,283 people through various programs and regions. In addition to addressing immediate needs, we provided multi-purpose cash assistance to 12,000 female-headed households. We also implemented a flood response program that helped 100 affected families with shelter reconstruction, community kitchen development, repairs to public infrastructure, and disaster preparedness training to build resilience against future earthquakes and floods.

We will continue to share updates on our efforts to support the people of Afghanistan as they navigate these ongoing and interconnected challenges. Thank you for your continued support.