Cash, Clean Water, and Hygiene: Building Family Futures in Afghanistan
Published: Dec 11, 2024 Reading time: 3 minutes
Despite decades of conflict and natural disasters, families in Saydabad, central Afghanistan, continue to endure. Many have lost all their property and income sources. To find work to provide for their families, some locals sought work as labourers, and many migrated to other Afghan cities or Iran and Pakistan. Learn how we are helping them.
When we talk about village life, we typically think of farming lands, orchards, vegetables, and livestock, but this is not the whole story; this coin has another layer as well that often goes unseen to people, especially in rural areas of Afghanistan, where necessities and opportunities frequently remain beyond reach.
Multipurpose Cash Assistance allows people to prioritise their needs
Mohammad Naeem (40) lives with his family in the Char Dehi. As a day labourer, he is the sole provider for his family. "I am not the only person who is the sole breadwinner of the family; there are many like me," he says.
"Although we live in the modern age, some families still live with only the basics," he continues. "I work hard to shield my family from hardship and meet their needs, but with limited job opportunities and low wages, it is challenging to make ends meet."
According to UNOCHA, without increased financial support, millions of Afghans will remain in critical need, particularly in underserved districts. With financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, we have provided cash to 3,846 people, comprising 2,153 females and 1,693 males, in 24 villages in central Afghanistan.
"This support was vital to us," Mohammed Naeem continues. "With this money, I can prioritise my most essential needs. First, I will buy wheat, potatoes, and oil; then, I will pay off part of my debts and save some for other urgent needs. People in Need's technical teams visited our village, surveyed our homes, and identified me as vulnerable and in need. Today, I received my money, and I am very grateful. May Allah bless you all," he shares.
"I received 10,520 AFN ($156). It may seem like a small financial support, but it is a big help for me, as it can cover most of my expenses," says Mohammad Naeem.
Hygiene awareness sessions for ensuring a healthier and more resilient future
In addition to providing multipurpose cash assistance, we conducted hygiene awareness sessions for families. "Learning about these hygiene practices has been eye-opening," Mohammad Naeem adds. "It empowers us, especially as parents, to help our children grow healthier."
We provide safe drinking water to 2,250 families
In addition to financial support and hygiene awareness sessions, we are repairing damaged water wells to provide drinking water. Our team, in cooperation with local communities, is repairing 150 damaged water wells in 62 villages. These wells will ensure reliable access to safe drinking water for 2,250.
According to UNOCHA, the 2024 humanitarian response in Afghanistan prioritises the comprehensive needs of 23.7 million people, of which 17.3 million will be targeted for assistance. Key priorities include providing food aid, safe drinking water, healthcare, and education, and addressing acute water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs.
With funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, we are committed to supporting the communities of central Afghanistan.
