Consolidated Appeal Afghanistan
(Last Updated: 10 October 2023)
IDP Living conditions in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. Photo: Tearfund Australia
On the 7th of October 2023 a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Herat Province in Western Afghanistan. It has been estimated that as many as 3,000 people have been killed, with thousands more injured and buildings significantly damaged. Â
According to the United Nations 1,585 people (1,655 families) are assessed to have been affected. 100% of homes are estimated to have been completely destroyed in 11 villages. Hospitals are also battling to treat the injured in an already struggling healthcare system.Â
Afghanistan has long been facing a humanitarian and economic crisis of historic proportions. Due to the compounding effects of political upheaval, economic collapse, backsliding women’s rights, food insecurity and drought, it is estimated that 28.3 million people – or two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population – will require urgent humanitarian assistance to survive. Currently, 91% of the average Afghan household’s money is spent on food, forcing many families to resort to rationing. This level of near-universal poverty in a country has not been seen in recent history.Â
The unfolding political crisis in Afghanistan is complex and uncertain but Australian development and humanitarian organisations and their partners – both local and international – remain committed to supporting communities in Afghanistan.Â
The ongoing humanitarian crisis needs will be significant, and include food, shelter, health, household essentials, and cash assistance programs. Â
Please find out more about the valuable efforts of our members and how you can contribute to their responses below.
You can be assured that your support to any member listed below will meet identified needs on the ground. The standards by which ACFID’s members make appeals for donations are set by ACFID’s Code of Conduct. This includes a responsibility to provide clear information to their donors on the emergency and the work they are doing with affected communities.
All ACFID member appeals below have been checked and meet Code of Conduct requirements.
Donate Responsibly
Unrequested goods such as food, clothing and medicines sent to countries experiencing crises consistently end up in landfill. Unrequested goods block valuable space at ports and airports and can prevent vital aid getting through. Cash is fast, flexible, and is used to meet the immediate and changing needs of those affected.
With cash donations goods can be sourced and purchased locally. This supports local businesses, keeps people in jobs, and stimulates the local economy.
If you want your donation to have a long-lasting impact, consider donating cash. Find out more about how to donate responsibly at:Â https://donateresponsibly.org/
Act for Peace
ActionAid Australia
Visit: actionaid.org.au/actions/humanitarian-crisis-in-afghanistan/
Australia for UNHCR
UNHCR, as part of the broader UN country team and lead in protection and emergency shelter in Afghanistan, is well prepared to stay and deliver humanitarian assistance and support to the Afghan people in a complex, dynamic and challenging security environment. Our teams are on the ground providing newly displaced Afghans with emergency shelter, food, health care, water and sanitation support and cash assistance, but a shortage of funding means humanitarian resources are falling dramatically short. Please donate today to help us reach vulnerable Afghan women, children and men.
Australian Lutheran World Service
Your ALWS action to help people affected by the crisis in Afghanistan is directed through ACT Alliance – churches from around the world, of many denominations, coming together to help people in need. Action currently planned aims to focus on 50,000 families forced from their homes, in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. Priority action planned includes: extensive consultations with local community leadership (to support security and effectiveness of aid-delivery teams), food, shelter, household essentials, health, and capacity building of local aid workers. Most ACT members in Afghanistan have worked there more than 30 years, and have strong deeply-rooted relationships with affected communities.
Donate at alws.org.au
CARE Australia
The funds raised through CARE Australia’s Afghanistan Emergency Appeal will be used to provide immediate and longer-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the crisis in Afghanistan including support as possible and needed for those displaced both internally and across international borders. CARE has worked in Afghanistan since 1961 and is a trusted provider of humanitarian assistance, with strong relationships in local communities working both directly and through local partners.
Visit: www.redcross.org.au
Islamic Relief Australia
The crisis in Afghanistan has forced thousands of families to flee their homes. Donate today to help families in Afghanistan.
Visit: islamicrelief.org.au
Mahboba's Promise
Mahboba’s Promise is supporting the vulnerable women, widows and children during this current escalating violence in the region.
Visit: mahbobaspromise.org
Tearfund Australia
For over four decades, Tearfund has stood alongside our local partners in Afghanistan. Due to the unfolding and uncertain political crisis in Afghanistan, all of the work of our partners is currently on hold and we are in constant contact with partners as to the best way we can support them and the communities they serve at this difficult time. Tearfund is currently accepting donations for our work in Afghanistan with the hope that these funds will be able to be delivered in response to the unfolding humanitarian needs, when circumstances allow.
Transform Aid International / Baptist World Aid Australia
Baptist World Aid Australia is responding to the crisis in Afghanistan with a focus on meeting immediate needs of displaced Afghan families. Given the difficult winter, our local partners are providing emergency support, including mobile health and nutrition clinics, counselling services, and cash grants for monthly food aid, warm clothes and blankets to protect families.
Visit: baptistworldaid.org.au/
UNICEF Australia
UNICEF has been in Afghanistan for 65 years, and even in the face of the escalating crisis, our work for children and women will continue. With so many in urgent humanitarian need, UNICEF is pre-positioning and preparing the essential supplies that people will need to survive. UNICEF will deliver urgent support for displaced families including emergency WASH services, treatment for malnutrition, mobile health teams and support for COVID-19 vaccination, humanitarian cash assistance, and establishment of safe spaces for women and girls in collaboration with partners.
Visit: www.unicef.org.au/appeals/help-children-in-afghanistan