Afghanistan Emergency Crisis Appeal

Published: Aug 19, 2021 Reading time: 2 minutes

War Conflict Club of Friends SOS Fundraising

Prague, 19th August – Conflict, poverty, and the impacts of climate change were already massive challenges for the people in Afghanistan, but the prolonged humanitarian crisis will only intensify following the Taliban's recent takeover of the country. Afghan cities are now full of internally displaced people, and many have fled the country. To assist this newly vulnerable population, People in Need has released 1 million CZK (about USD $46,000) from our Club of Friends programme to help Afghans. We are also launching the Afghanistan emergency crisis appeal to raise additional support.

There was half a million internally displaced people in Afghanistan even before the Taliban took power, according to the United Nations. Now, that figure has surged in recent days. Additionally, almost every second child under the age of 5 suffers from malnutrition, and half of the country's population (approximately 18 million people) needs humanitarian assistance or other forms of support

Donations will be used to provide emergency humanitarian assistance within the country, emphasising support for women and children. These funds will also be used to support Afghan refugees abroad, especially in neighbouring countries.

Šimon Pánek, long-time director of People in Need, comments on the announcement of the Afghanistan emergency crisis appeal:

"We have been in the country for 20 years and, thanks to our staff, we can start helping people immediately, primarily in the north, and refugees,” said Šimon Pánek, Director of People in Need. “The situation is constantly evolving and is very complex. At the same time, the huge need for humanitarian aid is growing by the day. That is why we have released 1 million CZK from the Club of Friends and launched the Afghanistan emergency crisis appeal."

People in Need launched its mission in Afghanistan in late 2001, and since then we have helped hundreds of thousands of people in acute need; built or repaired thousands of homes, and hundreds of schools and clinics; and repaired roads and infrastructure such as electricity and water. Our projects have focused on improving the use of natural resources and systemic support for agriculture, including direct support to farmers.

As one of Europe’s largest humanitarian organisations, Czech-based People in Need operates mainly in the northern part of Afghanistan, around Mazar-i-Sharif and in Kabul, where aid will be concentrated in the coming months. People in Need works with dozens of staff members on-site, dedicated professionals who are ready to provide and distribute humanitarian assistance. Because developments on the ground remain unpredictable, distribution of funds will be made as soon as the security situation allows.