Support vulnerable families in rural Afghanistan

Life in Daykundi province has always been difficult for families like Husnia’s*. With limited income and few opportunities, meeting even basic needs was a daily struggle.

“Our family faced many challenges. Our financial situation was poor, and we had no reliable source of income. My father was the only breadwinner for our family of eight, and it was very difficult for him to cover even our basic needs,” Husnia explained. Despite his constant efforts, it still did not suffice for the livelihood of his family.

To cope, the family often relied on borrowing, and restrictions on women’s movement made her situation even more severe. Husnia told us how the women she knew had “lost all hope and motivation to build a better life.”

During this difficult time, Afghanaid came to Husnia’s local area to assess the needs of vulnerable families. After listening to her challenges, Husnia was selected to receive support that would enable her to earn an income and become the changemaker she had the strength to be, by starting a food production business. 

“I received a food processing kit that contained items such as a pot, a steam cooker, and a gas cylinder. By using these tools, I am able to process food not only for my family's use but also to supply it to the market.”

"I had the opportunity to participate in many training sessions organised by the project", Husnia explained. "I gained essential skills and knowledge about food processing, as well as proper financial management and how to start small businesses."

Now equipped with the training and tools she needed to rewrite her story, this support changed her family’s situation. Husnia was able to not only better utilise the crops grown by her family, she was able to sell her products in her local bazaar, bringing newfound confidence.

Today, Husnia feels hopeful for the future. “I am eager to continue using the knowledge and resources provided to improve my family’s economic situation. God willing, I plan to open my own shop in the future and independently sell processed food products.”

For Husnia, and many other women in Daykundi, this assistance has not only supported households but also restored confidence and created opportunities for a brighter future.

*Name has been changed to protect her privacy.

Links:

• https://www.afghanaid.org.uk

Father of three Feroz* lives with his wife and children in the remote province of Ghor. After losing both of his legs in an accident, he found it increasingly difficult to find secure, suitable employment, making it challenging for his family to meet their basic needs.

Winters in Ghor can be extremely cold, adding to the difficulties faced by families like Feroz's. Without enough heating materials, his children had to go outside to collect wood, which not only kept them from going to school but also put their health at risk. His wife worked as a seamstress to contribute to the household income, but it was not always enough to cover their winter needs.

“My biggest concern was the health of my children. The bone-chilling cold of winter threatened us every day, and I was always afraid of illness or even losing one of my loved ones," Feroz told us.

During these difficult winter months, Afghanaid came to Feroz's local area to assess the needs of vulnerable families. After listening to his challenges, Feroz's family was selected to receive support, receiving 19,300 Afghanis to afford fuel, as well as five winter blankets- support that transformed his family’s situation.

"With this money, I was able to buy fuel, heat my home, and get warm clothes for my children. They no longer have to go outside in the severe cold to gather wood. Now we can spend winter safely and peacefully.”

For Feroz and many other vulnerable families navigating poverty amidst Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, this emergency support has been essential, with the provision of blankets ensuring long term protection from the chill of Afghan winters. For people with disabilities like Feroz, this urgent assistance also ensures that family finances can be spent on crucial medical care as well as food and other necessities.

"The winter support from Afghanaid is vital for families like mine,” Feroz explained earlier this year, “who have no means to cope with the harsh cold. This assistance not only prevents illness and the dangers of cold but also preserves human dignity and keeps hope alive for vulnerable families.”

With deep gratitude, Feroz reflected on the impact of this support as the temperatures began to rise and the seasons shifted. "This assistance was like a miracle for us. Now we can confidently get through winter without worrying about my children getting frostbite or becoming sick. I am incredibly thankful to Afghanaid and everyone who made this support possible."

*Name has been changed to protect his privacy.