Afghanistan Crisis — Save the Children

What's happening in Afghanistan?

Millions of people have been cut off from life-saving services. Children are facing extreme hunger. With the economy spiralling out of control, 97% of families are expected to fall below the poverty line this year.

But together there is hope. Together, we've already reached almost half a million children since September. Together, we can help many more make it through the toughest moments of their lives - and start building a better future.

What we're doing to help children in Afghanistan

Your incredible generosity means we can be there for children in Afghanistan.

Since September 2021, you've helped us reach over 764,000 people including more than 430,000 children.

Thanks to you, we've...

set up 70 mobile health teams

provided vital health and nutrition services to 187,000 children, including emergency treatment for acute malnutrition to more than 28,000

provided 30,000 children with learning kits, made sure tens of thousands of girls could go to school, and gave children with visual and learning impairments specialist support so they could get an education

delivered cash to over 21,200 families so they can buy essential food, fuel and medicine

created safe spaces and provided expert psychological support to help children recover from their traumatic experiences

reached 1,400 families with winter kits so far - and plan to reach more than 14,000 more - so they have the warm clothes, shelter and fuel they need to make it through the winter.

And we're providing support to those who've been forced to flee Afghanistan. We're working with refugees in Pakistan, across Europe and in the US to ensure vulnerable children are kept safe and protected.

Light and laughter, even in the toughest times

Laila's* chance to smile

Laila*, 12, was forced to flee her home after her father was killed - she now lives with her mother and four siblings in a camp where families have to dig their homes under the frozen ground to survive the bitter winter cold.

To support her family, Laila* had to work cleaning people’s houses, earning as little as 10 Afghanis – that’s less than 8p – a day.

But thanks to the support of people like you, we’re giving Laila the chance of the future she deserves. She’s attending pur child-friendly space in the camp – the only place where she is safe to be a child – to learn, smile and play.

Now she can hope for better things. “I would like to be educated and become a teacher,” she says.

*Names changed

January 2023 Update

Save the Children has had to suspend its operations in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s announcement on December 24 that women are banned from working for international or national non-government organisations. We cannot and will not operate without the full participation of and guarantees of safety for our female front line and office-based staff. Female aid workers make up 50% of our workforce and are crucial for reaching women and girls who, due to cultural reasons, cannot interact with male aid workers.