Addressing Humanitarian Needs in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, the humanitarian conditions continue to worsen. Between continued local political instability and rippling disruptions to essential supply chains as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, the situation was already dire. This harvest season represented the last real chance for the Afghan agricultural sector to rescue the nation, but a brutal drought has effectively destroyed that possibility.

Already, 70 percent of households are entirely unable to provide food and non-food items for their families — especially in households headed by widows, the elderly, and those with disabilities — and approximately 3 million children are at risk of malnutrition and weakened immunity. The healthcare sector is on the verge of absolute collapse, as most healthcare workers have not received pay in months, women receive minimal access to reproductive support, and clinics and hospitals are all but out of critical drugs and supplies. With thousands of people forced to beg in the streets as the economy deteriorates, it should come as no surprise that the country is on track to have 97 percent of the population facing extreme poverty.

In the face of this desperation, International Medical Corps is on the ground, expanding its humanitarian operations in the north, east and south of the nation. Since August of last year, mobile teams have been in action all over the country: in April alone, we reached 80,927 people with health, hygiene and protection services.

In Afghanistan, we operate15 mobile health teams and support 11 first-aid trauma posts, 11 static health centers and a 50-bed COVID-19 hospital that work together to provide vital healthcare services. During the month of April, nearly 32,000 people received outpatient consultations, 862 children were fully immunized, 2,569 women received antenatal and postnatal care, and 1,071 women received family planning services. Static locations also managed 113 deliveries for local women and provided trauma care for 972 more. International Medical Corps also provided three hospitals and two comprehensive health centers with lifesaving medicines and medical supplies that supported 1,679 major and minor surgeries. 

Mobile teams were additionally responsible for mental health support and community education sessions. In total, 18,303 individuals received basic mental health support during one-on-one and group psychological assistance. Nearly 25,000 individuals were reached during hygiene and health education sessions. These concerned everything from COVID-19 prevention and vaccination, to menstruation, pregnancy care, diarrhea, tuberculosis/malaria transmission, early detection of breast cancer and more.

Despite International Medical Corps’ best efforts, however, circumstances all around the country are still dire. All of our work is only made possible by the generosity of GlobalGiving, its community and other donors. International Medical Corps remains committed to our life-saving operations for the vulnerable men, women, and children of Afghanistan.