Winterization Aid for Afghan communities

Help us combat food and shelter insecurity in Afghanistan with us - Support our Winterization Project !

Afghanistan is considered a state in severe economic, political, societal, environmental and security fragility. In addition to the pre-existing problems that have devastated the country, the current COVID-19 situation has put an additional burden on the population. In 2021, it was estimated that around 18.4 million people are in crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, an increase of 31% from 2020 driven by social, economic and health impacts of COVID-19, high cross-border mobility, spiraling food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as conflict-driven displacement and protection needs. In Kabul, is the worst effected province in Afghanistan; it is estimated that one third of its population are facing acute food insecurity among others difficulties. Families are also reducing medical care to save expenses. Moreover, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report has found that more than one in two Afghans will be facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity through the November 2021 to March 2022 lean season, requiring urgent humanitarian interventions to meet basic food needs.

There are an estimated 356.367 Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Kabul many of them live in camps around the city. These camps offer little protection from the cold and humidity, moreover, malnutrition is on the rise, it is estimated that around 1 in every 2 children are malnourished according to recent UNICEF reports. Among the already vulnerable population of the capital city, AfD is targeting children who work in the streets in the seek of income to survive, and are considered the most vulnerable. These children are deprived of all rights for them to basic needs, shelter, education, food, basic health services. The families of Street-Working are the most vulnerable majority of who are internally Displaced People (IDP) living in temporary settlements around the city.

AfD runs its winterization every year between November and January to provide emergency assistance for vulnerable populations including children living in informal settlements who face hardships due to extreme weather conditions. Every year, the winterization campaign helps communities survive the extreme weather months, improving living conditions and reducing illness in addition, mortality rates. The Winterization campaign in 2019/2020 reached 608 families - nearly 4,250 individuals with wood, coal and electric heaters in order to withstand the harsh temperatures of the Afghan winter.

As for the year 2021, AfD with the support of the commune de Vandoeuvres, commune d’Aniere, commune de Bellevue, commune de Cologny, commune de grand lancy, commune de Perly certoux, AfD was planning to support around 500 households who live in informal settlements through the distribution of stoves, wood, blankets, conducting medical examinations, medicines and referrals to health centers, as needed, to help them cope better with winter. 

So far, 160 families were reached with the first distribution session that was conducted during the week of December 27, priority was given to the families of street working children. Action for Development will conduct the second food distribution session during the first week of January 2022, and priority will be given to the families of teachers, labors and those whose income was canceled with a particular focus on women headed families. AfD is planning to reach 200 families within the next few weeks.

We are very impatient to share with you the full results of the project in our next reports, once these phases are completed. 

Links:

• Find Here all our Other Emergency Relief Projects
• Learn more about us and what we do