Families in urgent need of food, water and shelter as thousands flee to Afghanistan’s cities

Away from the chaotic and terrifying scenes at Kabul airport, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding on the streets of Afghanistan’s cities.

ActionAid Afghanistan is carrying out urgent needs assessments in Mazar E Sharief, Herat and Kabul, where thousands of people who have fled tensions in surrounding provinces, are in desperate need of emergency relief.

Food, emergency shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, are urgent priorities in the overcrowded displacement camps and informal settlements where people have arrived seeking safety.

Sudipta Kumar, Country Director of ActionAid Afghanistan, says:

“Thousands of families, who fled rising tensions in their villages, have arrived in Kabul, Mazar and Herat with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

“Pregnant women and new mothers are among those most at need of food support, shelter, water and sanitation. In one camp our team was told that some 300 families are sharing just one toilet. Tents for 10 people are being used by 50.

“We’re deeply concerned that without immediate relief, families in overcrowded camps are at increased risk of Covid-19 and an escalating hunger and malnutrition crisis.”

As part of its emergency response to the humanitarian crisis, ActionAid is planning to reach 35,000 people with food support, safe water, sanitation and hygiene kits for women and girls.

The organisation will also provide psychosocial counselling support for people traumatised and displaced by the crisis.

ActionAid continues to support families most in need in seven provinces across Afghanistan, providing education programming for girls and boys, tackling food insecurity and providing livelihoods support.

This work will be expanded to address the additional needs of displaced families and vulnerable host communities.

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For more information contact jenna.pudelek@actionaid.org or call +447795642990.