UNICEF has been in Afghanistan for 65 years and our work for children and women will continue. Our teams have a presence in every region of Afghanistan. We will stay and deliver.
Emergency Update
EMERGENCY UPDATE:
On 17 August, an explosion tore through a Kabul mosque during evening prayers. Many are feared dead or injured, with reports of children among them.
The explosion took place shortly after the one-year mark of the Taliban taking over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Life has always been hard for children in Afghanistan, but the situation has become even more dire.
- 13.1 million children need urgent assistance
- 8 out of 10 people are drinking contaminated water
- Without urgent action, UNICEF estimates 97 per cent of people are in poverty, up from 47 per cent in 2020
- 7.9 million more children risk missing out on critical education
The sudden breakdown in public services has left the health system at the brink of collapse. Diseases are rapidly spreading, with outbreaks of measles, acute watery diarrhoea, dengue and COVID-19.
The June 2022 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan has only added to the turmoil.
On top of this unfolding situation, 1 million children are at risk of dying due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment.
Afghanistan Philanthropy Appeal
UNICEF is on the ground in Afghanistan supporting vulnerable children and their families, we can't do this without you.
Afghanistan is one of the hardest places in the world to be a child. Conflict, drought, disease and a recent earthquake have collided, making life incredibly difficult for children and families.
On 15 August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The challenges of the past 12 months have exposed the deep inequalities and underdevelopment already faced by children, women and communities.
Access to clean water, education and immunisation were already devastatingly low for children across the country. But the scale and scope of these issues has grown.
Today, children and families are facing the near collapse of the health system. A ban on girls’ education in secondary schools is impacting over 1 million girls.
And access to clean water has plunged. Before, 32 per cent of people lacked access to clean water. Now, 80 per cent are drinking contaminated water. Outbreaks of watery diarrhea are putting children’s lives at risk.
Malnutrition is soaring. More than 1 million children could become so severely malnourished this year that they will be at risk of death.
UNICEF has been on the ground in Afghanistan for more than 65 years. We’ve nurtured community networks and built trust with everyone we need to get the job done. We have 13 offices nationwide and a range of partners that support our teams in delivering life-saving supplies to the most disadvantaged. UNICEF remains committed to the women and children of Afghanistan. As of July 2022, we have 483 staff in country, all working to improve children’s lives.
From setting up UNICEF mobile health teams to providing cash assistance, your support helps us get to those who need it most.
Afghanistan Philanthropy Appeal
UNICEF is on the ground in Afghanistan supporting vulnerable children and their families, we can't do this without you.
"It is particularly horrifying and heart breaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them."
Afghanistan Philanthropy Appeal
UNICEF is on the ground in Afghanistan supporting vulnerable children and their families, we can't do this without you.
How UNICEF is helping children in Afghanistan
Even in the face of the escalating crisis, UNICEF's work for children and families across every region of the country continues.
Thanks to support from generous people like you, our teams are on the ground:
- providing medical care to displaced families.
- delivering emergency water and sanitation facilities.
- vaccinating babies against measles and other preventable diseases.
- treating children for severe acute malnutrition.
- giving cash assistance to families struggling to buy food and clothing for their children.
- 90¢90 cents of every dollar donated to this emergency went directly to our emergency response work in the field.
- 10¢10 cents per dollar covers the essential administrative costs of raising public awareness and fundraising to generate more support for UNICEF’s emergency response.
How do we use each dollar donated?
In the unlikely event that UNICEF receives more funds than needed for this emergency response, your gift will help support UNICEF's work for children in need around the world.
Afghanistan Philanthropy Appeal
UNICEF is on the ground in Afghanistan supporting vulnerable children and their families, we can't do this without you.