Support for Afghanistan

Thank you for your support of this project. I'm writing to share some updates about ActionAid's work in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is facing one of its toughest humanitarian and food crises in years, with multiple overalpping crises including  ongoing drought and economic collapse to reduced international funding and institutional challenges. Right now, one in five Afghans is experiencing acute hunger, and around 3 million people are severely malnourished. On top of this, the country has seen the return of more than 2.1 million Afghans an unprecedented influx that has placed even greater strain on already fragile systems. Health challenges are worsening, with malaria cases up by more than 21% and rising.

The situation has been compounded by a series of powerful earthquakes that struck eastern Afghanistan between late August and early September. The 6.0-magnitude quake that hit on August 31 devastated communities across Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. Over 77,000 families, more than half a million people, were affected and nearly 2,000 people were killed and over 3,600 injured. Thousands of homes were destroyed, forcing families to live in tents as winter approaches. Infrastructure losses, livestock deaths, and the destruction of farmland have deepened the crisis, leaving women and vulnerable groups at even higher risk. 

ActionAid has since launched emergency and recovery efforts in Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar provinces. Along with local partners, we are providing dry food support, WASH infrastructure, and implementing cash-for-work programs focused on debris removal and reconstruction. Non-food items, like hygiene kits and blankets, are being distributed, alongside multi-purpose cash assistance to help households meet urgent needs.

ActionAid is also investing in long-term resilience by forming 20 community-based disaster preparedness committees and training 2,000 families (about 14,000 people) in disaster risk reduction. In Kunar alone, 1,100 households are being supported with hygiene, dignity, and cash assistance.

To date, ActionAid’s overall response has reached 412,787 people — including 131,189 men, 140,799 women, and 140,799 children — but with temperatures soon to drop below freezing, urgent winterization support is still critically needed.

We appreciate your ongoing partnerships during these challenging times.