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30.03.2021 | Blog

Hope for Refugees

In Afghanistan the Welthungerhilfe runs fundamental development work and raises authorities’ awareness for important issues.

Flüchtlinge in Winterkleidung warten auf die Verteilung von Haushaltsgütern
At a distribution point at Pol Charkhi IDP Camp in Kabul, refugees from Afghanistan gather and wait for household goods © Sayed Abdul Tawab Sadaat
Kerstin Bandsom Team Communications

Afghanistan is a landlocked Central Asian country wracked by armed conflicts. After more than 25 years of civil war, the country has still not managed to find peace. In 2002, the outlook seemed hopeful, since people were able to elect a parliament and a president after the fall of the fundamental Islamist regime of the Taliban.

However, the armed conflict between the government, the Taliban and regional warlords is still ongoing and claims new victims on a daily basis. People are afraid and fleeing their homes. They seek asylum in other countries or safety in refugee camps within Afghanistan. As a result, the economy lies in ruin.

Janaan (right), age 40, fled to Kabul with his family. They live in an informal slum and benefit from Welthungerhilfe efforts.)
Janaan (right), age 40, fled to Kabul with his family. They live in an informal slum and benefit from Welthungerhilfe efforts.) © Sayed Abdul Tawab Sadaat/Welthungerhilfe

The People Know Nothing but War

Violence is particularly prevalent in rural areas, with many people fleeing to the province of Kabul, which is relatively safe in comparison to the rest of the country. The capital provides for approximately 40,000 internally displaced persons. They live in makeshift slums, typically in ramshackle mud huts without running water, electricity or adequate toilettes.

Families that live here have lost everything. They left their homes, land and livestock in order to survive. In the city, their culture is threatened, and they have few future prospects. The parents in these families never attended school because of the quarter-century of war. They, just like their children, are deeply traumatised by the war. Most of them have never experienced a time of peace. They have no access to medical care or education. There are no jobs to be had.

Fundamental Work by Welthungerhilfe

Welthungerhilfe is conducting fundamental development work in this area, beginning at the family level. Traumatised children gain self-confidence and trust toward others, all the while becoming familiar with democratic processes.

Adults, and women in particular, participate in educational and training measures in order to better support their families. However, this would not have a sustainable effect without the involvement of local authorities. To this end, Welthungerhilfe is raising awareness of internally displaced persons’ concerns among employees of the relevant authorities.

How Welthungerhilfe Supports People in Afghanistan

Welthungerhilfe is currently active in Afghanistan with the following projects:

Please support Welthungerhilfe's work in Afghanistan with a donation. Ten euros provide a family with two chickens and a steady supply of eggs. 20 euros will cover materials for ten participants in a literacy course.

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