From living under tarpaulin in a basement, to desert communities digging wells to collecting rain water, children in Afghanistan are bearing the brunt of the dramatic transition to power in the country. But help, and progress is possible.
Making progress for Afghanistan's children
This week, we've seen a big win, as following our petition calling for action, the government have agreed to host a pledging conference for Afghanistan.
And, since September, you've helped us reach over 764,000 people – including more than 430,000 children. Find out all about how we're supporting those kids and their families.
Telling thier stories
As we all pull together to support these children, it's also important we tell their stories. As we struggle with our own lives and preoccupations, it can be all to easy to forget that elsewhere, there are children experiencing hardships no child should.
World-renowned photographer Jim Hoylebroek travelled across the country with Save the Children – from the drought-ravaged plains of the north to the freezing streets of Kabul – capturing the stories of children whose lives have been devastated by the humanitarian crisis for the series titled “Children on the edge of life.”
These children and their families are clearly struggling, but their hope and determination for a better future remain.
Arzoo* 12
In Kabul, 12-year old Arzoo*, the oldest of seven children in her family. Because schools have been closed she hasn’t been to school all winter. Her father hasn’t been able to work for months and the family has been borrowing money from other families to buy food.
Several of Arzoo’s brothers and sisters attend Community Based Education (CBE) classes we set up. These classes have been set up in communities where school age kids don’t have access to education, because either there are no schools available or they are too far away.
Arzoo’s mother, Ferisha*, 36, said: “There is absolutely no work. People are desperate for food; there is nothing.”
When asked about the future for her children she said: “My hope is that they study and make progress; one can only have this hope.”
Ninangyali, 1 year old
Ninangyali lives in a tiny two-room house made of compacted earth in a remote desert community in Jawzjan, northern Afghanistan with his mum, dad, and five siblings. Work is in very short supply - without any income, the family survive on just bread alone most days.
When Ninangyali was eight-months-old, the family fled their home to escape conflict. Without enough food to eat, he became thin and weak from malnutrition. The family took him to hospital but were unable to afford the treatment he needed. Fortunately, Ninangyali was able to get treatment at Save the Children’s mobile health clinic, which saved his life.
Afzal* 13
Afzal* lives with his family in a remote desert community on the outskirts of Jawzjan in northern Afghanistan.
The community used to pay for water to be trucked out, but after the cost doubled, they were no longer able to afford it and were walking miles to get water that wasn’t safe to drink. And when the children got sick, the families were unable to afford medicines.
We're delivering safe drinking water to the area on water trucks each week.
Afzal said ‘Our problem is that we need you to bring water containers so that we can store water in them. The conditions of the children have improved a lot with the water that has been brought.’
Laalah, 12
Laalah* 12, sits with her siblings Faakhir*, 1, Aabhas*, 10, Aabid* 7, Cachi*, 5, outside their home in Balkh province.
They were afraid they would lose their lives and their house was destroyed after they left.
Their father Maalek* tries to find work as a day labourer but rarely does. Unable to afford anywhere to live, he has erected a tent in the basement of a half-finished building and most days at the moment, all the family has to eat is bread.
We provided the family with a winter kit of a blanket, children’s clothes and fuel.
What next?
Reading these stories is hard, as the enormity of what is happening to children all over Afghanistan can feel overwhelming. But there are things we can do to help.
Funding is crucial - The overwhelming majority of people are relying on humanitarian aid just to get by, but huge numbers still aren’t getting the support they need.
You can donate to our Afghanistan crisis appeal, or just visit our Afghanistan country page to find out more about how we’re helping.
Want to learn more about children in Afghanistan?
Check out our most recent blogs
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The lives of 23 million Afghans are at risk
