Winterization Aid for Afghan communities

One of the primary objectives of Action for Development (AfD) is to support vulnerable children who are the sole providers for their families and work on the streets. As part of its ongoing commitment, AfD provided winter assistance to a total of 330 families, including 270 families of street-working children and 60 additional families engaged in physically demanding, low-income street labor in Kabul. A total of 330 winter relief kits were distributed on January 15, 2025 to help these families cope with the harsh winter conditions.

To ensure targeted and effective assistance, AfD’s Education Team conducted a comprehensive needs assessment survey from January 5, 2025, identifying the most vulnerable families. The survey gathered essential data on the living conditions of these students and their households, revealing the extent of poverty and hardship they face during the winter season. During this process, the team registered families, collected their contact information, and distributed identification cards for aid distribution.

Following the assessment, the team prioritized coal distribution as a critical intervention to provide families with a reliable heating source. Many of these households suffer from extreme economic deprivation, lacking sufficient fuel to heat their homes. As a result, children are disproportionately affected, facing increased risks of severe pneumonia, frostbite, colds, and fever due to prolonged exposure to the cold.

The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are women and children, many of whom serve as the sole or primary earners for their families, surviving on less than $1 per day. AfD’s field team conducted door-to-door assessments to identify and assist the most impoverished households, ensuring that aid reached those in greatest need.

This initiative reflects AfD’s unwavering commitment to supporting marginalized communities by addressing their immediate needs while advocating for long-term solutions to improve their livelihoods.

On January 15, 2025, Action for Development (AfD) successfully completed its winter assistance program in Kabul and Parwan provinces, providing essential heating support to vulnerable families. A total of 330 families (2,511 individuals) benefited from this initiative, including 220 families of working school children and 60 low-income families in Kabul, along with 50 families in Parwan province.

Each beneficiary household received a 49 kg package of coal, ensuring access to a crucial heating source during the harsh winter months. This marked the first phase of winter aid distribution in these provinces, prioritizing families facing severe economic hardship.

AfD remains committed to supporting underprivileged communities by addressing their immediate needs while working toward sustainable, long-term solutions for improved living conditions

• some of the families who received the support (PDF)