By CARE's Writing Team | CARE
Introduction
After enduring decades of conflict, Afghanistan remains a fragile state. In addition to insecurity, the country has recently struggled to cope with a devastating drought, widespread food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic. The last year has been particularly challenging. Since the August 2021 political transition, Afghanistan has experienced a crippling economic decline, rising poverty, reduced employment opportunities, commodity price spikes and ruptures in essential services. Although Afghanistan has largely fallen out of the headlines in the U.S. media in recent months, the country’s humanitarian situation is growing significantly worse.
According to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs Overview, 24.4 million people are estimated to be in need, while 19.7 million people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity (Phase 3[1] and above) between June and November 2022. Making matters worse, Afghanistan experienced multiple natural disasters in the first six months of 2022, including harsh winter conditions, two high-magnitude earthquakes and heavy flash floods.
These comounded crises have caused significant mental distress and physical trauma for many Afghans. The World Health Organization reports that conflict has left an estimated 800,000 people (2.7% of the population) with severe disabilities. According to the National Mental Health Survey commissioned by the European Union, approximately half of the country’s population is already experiencing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress due to violence. Afghanistan is ranked as the least peaceful country in the world by the Global Peace Index, and the conflict remains one of the deadliest for civilians by global measures. Afghanistan was also ranked lowest, out of 170 countries, on the 2021 Women, Peace and Security Index. Although violence has decreased following last year’s political transition, sporadic attacks continue to occur. Prior to last year, conflict was the cause of displacement for three-fourths of the country’s 5.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs), but this trend is slowing, with only 7,400 people displaced by conflict in the first six months of 2022. People returning to their homes need help to restore their livelihoods, particularly given the worsening economic crisis and rising prices. More than 508,000 people have returned from neighboring countries, primarily Pakistan and Iran, to date in 2022.
Circumstances are particularly dire for Afghan women and girls, who face tightened restrictions on their ability to work, attend school and travel outside their homes. Most women have limited or no access to basic services, such as protection,[2] healthcare or education. Particularly during times of displacement, women and girls are at increased risk of violence, early marriage or other threats to their safety and security. Moreover, when families experience food insecurity, women often eat least and last in their households.
Thanks to the generosity of CARE’s supporters, we are implementing a comprehensive humanitarian response that seeks to address these complex and interrelated challenges. Women and girls remain at the center of our efforts. We are focusing on areas where CARE has an existing presence and where we can build on existing programs and infrastructure. CARE began working in Afghanistan in 1961, and we have achieved high levels of acceptance and respect for our work within local communities over many years.
This report shares highlights of our accomplishments over the last year (August 2021-July 2022).
CARE’s Response
CARE’s humanitarian crisis response in Afghanistan aims to help people meet their basic needs, including health, protection, education, nutrition, and food security and livelihoods. Since the political transition in August 2021, CARE’s programs have delivered lifesaving services and support to 416,548 people. A summary of CARE’s reach to date by program area is shown in the full report attached to this introduction.
Links:
By CARE | CARE Media Staff
By CARE Corporate Team | Corporate Team Director of Development
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