Afghanistan - an update

What are people saying about the situation they are in?

Our simple, effective solution – cash assistance

Thanks to you and other supporters like you we have set up a cash assistance programme. It is delivered on the ground by our partner, Humanity and Inclusion (HI). Together we are supporting 700 families.

Why cash?
Older people may have specific needs that are not met through traditional aid packages. Cash gives people choice and control to buy what they need.

For example, older people may need food that can be easily chewed and digested or particular medicines to treat healthcare conditions. Cash moves faster than supplies which may get stuck in road blocks or closed airports, so it helps quickly.

How much cash is given?
So far each family received £192 in April, May, and June 2022. As prices are rising, we check that the money holds its value and can adjust payments.

Is giving cash safe?
We rent halls where people safely receive the cash amount, sit and receive refreshments whilst waiting for their turn.

“Because we could not pay the electricity bill, the government also cut off our electricity and we spent several months without it. We spent nights in the dark. And we lived only through the cow’s milk we had.” Hesamuddin explained.

With his cash payment Hesamuddin bought food, including rice, oil, peas and beans. He said: “Also, I used the money for medical treatments for my wife, my mother and myself. I bought clothes, bags and notebooks for my children who go to school. I paid the electricity bill and now we have electricity.”

He is very happy to have enough food and fuel for several months. “I am happy that my children are going to school and I did not have to take them out from school and ask them to work” he added.

Update from our colleague in Herat Province
Dehzad Gulam Nabi, our colleague at Humanity and Inclusion says that the Province of Herat had already been hosting around 200,000 people that have been displaced due to the drought in 2020.

The collapse of the economic system in the country has led to a further 300,000 internally displaced people in Herat city within the last few months, and the number increases on a daily basis.

As many as 25 million people living in Afghanistan are in need of support. Older people are in the most vulnerable group. Older people often will not have a secure, regular income and are often unable to work due to their age or disabilities.

The money raised is helping to ensure older people are able to meet their most urgent needs like accessing food, fuel for heat, and warm clothing.

“Last winter was very cold and we did not have firewood to heat the house or warm us. We had no money to buy food and fuel,” Bibigul said. She was so relieved to hear that her family were to benefit from the cash assistance programme.

“The assistance we received was in three rounds. That helped us and we are very happy that many of our problems are resolved for a few months,” she explained. The cash payments meant Bibigul could pay the rent, water and electricity bills and buy food.

She said: “If I had not received this assistance, I would not have been able to do this.”

“The situation in Afghanistan has been bad for 40 years and it is getting worse day by day. We all live our lives facing many challenges. I do not have the ability to work and someone must always take care of me. I can walk with difficulty.”
Ghulam Mohammad told us.

When he received his cash payment Ghulam Mohammad said: “The assistance provided was the very first help I received in my whole life and it had a good effect on my family living conditions. Many of our problems were temporarily solved and my wife and I could access some medical treatments. I was able to buy flour and rice and a pair of glasses to help me see better.”