Afghanistan

Focus on Afghanistan: UN Warns of ‘Human Catastrophe’

Families across Afghanistan are asking for our attention and compassion right now: An estimated 390,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country—primarily due to insecurity and violence—bringing the total uprooted population to some 5.6 million people (3 million inside Afghanistan, and 2.6 million outside), according to the UNHCR. Families are forced to flee their homes in recent weeks have cited the worsening security situation as the predominant reason for their flight.

All this as Afghanistan sits on the brink of famine. The current situation is leading to increased prices all around, including food. And this June, Afghanistan officially fell into drought, making rough conditions even worse: “The drought has also exacerbated the hard living conditions in a country that is grappling with escalating conflict, COVID-19, and crippling poverty. COVID-19 cases have steadily risen since mid-May 2021, with compounding socioeconomic impacts,” according to ReliefWeb. And now, more and more of the country has been moving into crisis mode with regard to food insecurity.

The United Nations warns that Afghanistan is reaching levels of a ‘human catastrophe,’ with violence and suffering expected to get worse in coming days.

These latest developments sit atop already dismal living standards in Afghanistan, which are among the lowest in the world. Yet experts stress that the latest poverty numbers should serve as a call to action, not a reason for despair:

• 9.4 million people require humanitarian and protection assistance (ReliefWeb, 2020)
• Afghanistan is experiencing stagnating economic growth (World Bank)
• Escalation of violence, loss of essential livelihood, and little to no access to basic services are major concerns (Relief Lab)

With all this considered, one thing remains clear: The people of Afghanistan are resilient and, with the support of donors like you, families in need there can still access essential humanitarian support and opportunities to break the chains of poverty for themselves insha’Allah.

Islamic Relief’s Response to Current Situation for families in Afghanistan and refugees in U.S.

Islamic Relief USA has made a commitment of $2.1 million to help Afghan families suffering under the current crisis, for those in Afghanistan and for those who are refugees. Our staff on the ground has identified Kabul, Balkh, Herat and Nangarhar provinces as areas for immediate support, and are working to distribute the following items:

• Food aid to those suffering from hunger
• Water storage units and hygiene kits to displaced families
• Essential non-food items, like cooking pots, utensils, pots, soaps and detergents, solar-powered lamps, towels, and more
• Family-sized emergency tents and the necessary tools for pitching

In addition, for families that are now in the United States, our teams are working with partners to reach families and provide them with essential items to help them as they arrive and transition to a life in our neighborhoods. Here are some of the ways we are working on these efforts now (and remember to stay tuned to this page for more information as it develops):

1. Delivering food boxes, packaged by IRUSA volunteers, containing nutrient-dense dry food items for families that have gained access to housing.
2. Engaging our local refugee network to give much-needed resources that assist with local resettlement efforts.

In addition, IRUSA has been keen on helping newly-arriving families receive the sheltering, emotional spiritual care, and cultural needs they need, and will be working working with groups to provide volunteers to help staff shelters and religious leaders to provide emotional and spiritual care

We’ve also delivered some 500 prayer mats for families—even items like these are important to help families who have suffered so much trauma to feel that they have support and are not alone.

Your donations today are how we can support IR Afghanistan to get these items out to families who are in desperate need right now, and to provide aid to families who are arriving in our neighborhoods here in the United States. Stay tuned to this page for more information as it becomes available.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Afghanistan

Our work in Afghanistan now is a continuation of 20 years of humanitarian services for families in need in Afghanistan.

Here’s a sampling of programs we’ve implemented across Afghanistan across the years:

• Winter aid for families vulnerable to harsh weather conditions, including blankets, mattresses, firewood, food, and more
• Orphan support and vocational training for women-lead households
• Educational programs for women and girls
• Ramadan and Qurbani food distributions

We Need YOUR Help

As much as we’ve been able to accomplish, there is still so much more to do. If we work together—with YOU—we can make the vision of better Afghanistan a reality for so many more of our sisters and brothers in need.

PLEASE NOTE: Donations made to IRUSA’s Afghanistan fund may serve urgent or long-term programs in Afghanistan or for refugees from Afghanistan living in other countries.