We support Afghans with cash assistance
Published: Sep 2, 2024 Reading time: 3 minutes
It has been three years since the power shift in Afghanistan, and the country continues to grapple with severe socio-economic challenges. Food insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, and international restrictions, along with natural disasters and climate change, have forced many Afghans to seek refuge in neighbouring countries such as Iran and Pakistan.
Families in Maidan Shahr, Jalrez, Markaz-e-Behsud, and Saydabad face complex challenges caused by decades of conflict, international sanctions, and frequent natural disasters. Many residents face severe poverty and food insecurity and struggle due to the lack of job opportunities. The recent droughts and flash floods have devastated agricultural lands, driving many young people to migrate to neighbouring countries to find work to support their families.
In the face of these overwhelming difficulties, with financial support from Stichting Vluchteling, we provided cash assistance to shock-affected host communities and returnees in Central Afghanistan. Together, we have supported 9,951 people in 4 districts and 68 villages in Central Afghanistan. With this aid, returnees and host communities can cover part of their current expenses.
Cash assistance for families
The cash assistance has been a lifeline for many families, enabling them to address their financial challenges and food needs.
Mohammad Tahir (38), a visually impaired man living in Kashmiri Qala, central Afghanistan, shared his story. After the power shift in Afghanistan, Tahir lost the government salary he relied on to support his family, forcing him to send his young son to the city to find work. "With the cash assistance, equivalent to $140, I bought flour, oil, and beans and set aside some money for emergencies. The help was crucial because I desperately needed it," says Tahir.
House, Land, and Property Awareness Sessions
We conducted several awareness sessions for communities, including House, Land, and Property (HLP) rights awareness sessions for 1,245 people in Maidan Shahr, Saydabad, Jalrez, and Markaz-e-Behsud. These sessions informed host communities and returnees about their rights and appropriate channels to address frequent disputes over land usage and water resources, a common problem identified during our assessments.
Den Mohammad (63), who lives in Sarbagha village in Jalrez, expressed his gratitude for the knowledge he and others in his community gained through HLP awareness sessions.
Similarly, Mohammad Reza Shahidi (56), who lives in Kamarak, Qaum e Dehqan village in Markaz-e-Behsud, shared how our efforts have helped his community. "We live in one of Central Afghanistan's most remote and mountainous regions. No one had ever come to our village to see our situation. Many of our young people have migrated to Iran and Pakistan; sometimes, I feel forgotten. However, when the PIN team arrived to assess our homes, provide awareness session, and offer cash assistance to families, I regained hope and realised we were not forgotten," says Mohammad.
Iran and Pakistan host 5.8 million Afghan Refugees
According to the Operational Data, around 3.25 million people are internally displaced within Afghanistan. Additionally, neighbouring countries like Iran and Pakistan host around 5.8 million Afghan refugees, many of whom are at risk of forced repatriation.
Our ongoing humanitarian efforts, with the support of Stichting Vluchteling, have helped thousands of vulnerable people in Central Afghanistan, including both host communities and returnees. We have assisted many forgotten communities by offering financial assistance and crucial awareness on housing, land, and property rights.
