News & Stories Afghanistan: Three years on from the Taliban takeover Three years since the Taliban regained power, what is the situation in Afghanistan and how has Afghanaid been supporting those who need it most? What is the situation? Humanitarian and economic crisis Afghanistan's ongoing and unprecedented humanitarian crisis is among the most complex, persistent and severe in the world. In 2024, more than half of Afghanistan's population - 23 million men, women and children - will require humanitarian assistance to survive. In particular, families are facing unemployment, food insecurity and debt. 40% of people currently do not know where their next meal is coming from, unemployment rates have doubled since last year, and many have been pushed into extreme borrowing just to make ends meet. The climate crisis and natural disasters Climate change is already causing massive issues for Afghan people, with repeated droughts decimating agricultural production, and increasingly frequent flash flooding washing away homes, livestock and livelihoods. Of the 6.3 million people in Afghanistan who are internally displaced, it is estimated at least a third were forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters and extreme weather - 38,000 people were displaced by extreme weather events in the first 6 months of 2024 alone. Additionally, many communities in Western Afghanistan are still facing enormous challenges following the devastating earthquakes that struck Herat last October. Women's rights Over the past 3 years, Afghan women have faced deepening restrictions on their basic freedoms, with laws introduced that curb their access to education, employment and their freedom of movement. The costs of rollbacks on women’s full participation in public life cannot be overstated. Resourceful, resilient women and girls have been central to the survival of their families through the ongoing humanitarian crisis. As the country continues to endure the fallout of economic downturn, climate change and acute food shortages, limiting the ability of women and girls to engage freely in public and political life threatens to push the entire population into a deeper crisis. Funding shortages Many international donor bodies have continued to scale back the funding they once gave in support of Afghan communities. Currently, the UN's 2024 appeal for Afghanistan - a funding goal based off of rigorous analysis which quantifies the need for lifesaving assistance - is just 25% funded (as of 13th August 2024). This funding crisis puts at risk the gains made through record levels of food assistance provided in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 and the economic crisis that followed. As a result, some UN agencies have been forced to make substantial cuts to their programming. Forced deportations In October 2023, a crackdown on "undocumented" foreign nationals living in Pakistan began, in which Pakistan ordered those without legal documentation to voluntarily leave the country by the beginning of November or face deportation. From the late 1970s onwards, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees as many have fled continuous conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan. Approximately 680,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since October, and as many as 1 million more could be forced to return. Many families will be settling into already poor communities ill-equipped to support them. Still here: staying and delivering through uncertainty To respond to the deepening humanitarian crisis, over the past three years Afghanaid has supported over 2 million people with emergency relief - including more recently those affected by flash flooding, the Herat earthquakes and people who are facing forcible deportation from Pakistan. Our support has included the delivery of cash assistance, food support, providing emergency shelter, and distributing other key household items to those in really difficult positions. As well as helping families to fulfil their basic needs - a crucial first step in helping them rebuild their lives - we know that short-term aid alone is not sufficient to resolve the complex and protracted crises being faced by Afghan communities. This is why we've continued to deliver vital programmes focused on strengthening income sources, tackling food insecurity, improving access to basic services and helping communities adapt to the changing climate - and we specifically prioritise the support of women, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups in all of this work. What we've achieved together so far in 2024 343,230 Men, women and children supported with emergency assistance. 84,440 People supported to adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis. 70,250 Households supported to strengthen their livelihoods. How can you make a difference? Families across Afghanistan face are living through a protracted, multi-layered crisis. They need sustained support to address the challenges they face. Enable men, women and children in Afghanistan to recover from crises, lift themselves out of poverty, and build sustainable, collaborative and prosperous communities so that they can thrive for years to come by joining our regular giving community. Set up a regular gift Invest in sustainable, community-driven solutions today by joining our monthly giving community. Become A Monthly Giver Manage Cookie Preferences