CHILDREN IN NEED OF URGENT, LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT
UNICEF WILL STAY AND DELIVER FOR CHILDREN IN AFGHANISTAN

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN

Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, the living conditions of children and families in Afghanistan are rapidly worsening. Decades of conflict have left the country on the brink of collapse, with disastrous consequences for children. Afghanistan is facing multiple crises, including conflict, a collapsing economy, rampant disease outbreaks, chronic poverty and the worst drought in nearly 40 years.

On October 7, 2023, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake along with several strong aftershocks struck Western Afghanistan, adding to the devastation children and families living in the region were already facing. Over a thousand people have been killed and many more injured, including hundreds of women and children.

All of these factors have collided to create an unprecedented humanitarian emergency:

  • 29.2 million people need humanitarian assistance
  • 64% of households are unable to meet their basic needs
  • 15.6 million people need access to health care 
  • 875,000 children under age 5 require life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition

Afghanistan is experiencing one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world for children. Please Donate Now.

GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN ARE BEING DENIED

Women and girls are the hardest hit by the situation in Afghanistan. The de facto authorities have barred young women in Afghanistan from going to high school, denying them their right to education. They have also issued a decree which bans all female employees of national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from going to work, limiting the activities of many organizations.

AFGHANISTAN’S CHILDREN NEED URGENT, LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE

HOW IS UNICEF RESPONDING TO THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN?

First and foremost, we are staying.

UNICEF has been in Afghanistan for more than 70 years. In that time, we’ve nurtured community networks and built trust in order to reach children with essential services, and we have become experienced at delivering life-saving supplies in difficult circumstances. Our work for children and families in every region of the country continues, even in the face of escalating crisis.

We’re on the ground, helping children access health and nutrition services, clean and safe water, and quality education. We’re also there responding to emergencies, like the recent earthquake, to ensure children and families are able to receive life-saving support when they need it most.

The very future of the country’s children is at stake, and we need your help.

HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP AFGHANISTAN

With your support, we aim to reach 19 million people, including 10.3 million children, with humanitarian assistance in 2023, including:

  • Providing emergency shelter supplies, blankets and warm clothes
  • Treating children suffering from severe acute malnutrition 
  • Vaccinating children against measles
  • Providing safe water and sanitation supplies
  • Helping children resume their learning
  • Using cash transfers to meet the basic needs of women and children
  • Supporting frontline workers such as teachers and healthcare providers

DONATE NOW TO THE AFGHANISTAN EMERGENCY FUND