Afghanistan has been embroiled in conflict and political instability for over four decades, since a coup in 1978. This has had a devastating impact on the lives of several generations of Afghans, who have never known life without conflict. The current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions of people in need of assistance. According to the United Nations, 24.1 million Afghans require humanitarian aid, including 15.3 million children. The situation has been exacerbated by the recent Taliban takeover of the country and the subsequent withdrawal of foreign troops, which has led to a breakdown of essential services and a worsening of the economic and security situation.

How did it get so bad?

Years of conflict can take a significant toll on a nation's infrastructure and economy, leading to a complex web of challenges that exacerbate the problems. Afghanistan, which has been grappling with conflict since 1978, is no exception. The country's prolonged instability has created a challenging economic environment with a lack of job opportunities and high levels of debt, affecting the well-being of many Afghan families. The impact of the conflict is especially harsh for those who have to cope with additional crises, such as the June 2022 earthquake which was the deadliest in the country since 1998. These challenges have created a situation in which 24.1 million Afghans are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including 15.3 million children, according to the latest estimates.

What’s being done

Concern, an international humanitarian organization, first arrived in Afghanistan in 1998, in response to the country's last major earthquake. Since then, various other organizations have joined Concern in providing humanitarian aid and support in the country.

In 2020, the United Nations (UN) partnered with several organizations, including Concern, to provide emergency response to displacement in the northeastern region of Afghanistan. The partnership aimed to provide urgent assistance to the people who were forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Additionally, Concern is an implementing partner of the Citizen's Charter Afghanistan Project, which aims to improve local infrastructure and services in the country, particularly for socially-marginalized groups. As an implementing partner, Concern works with the Afghan government and other organizations to identify and address the specific needs of these groups and ensure that they have access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. Through this project, Concern and its partners are helping to build a more inclusive and equitable society in Afghanistan.