London, 13th July - Afghanaid is proud to announce that this month, it will be featured as part of the prestigious BBC Radio 4 Appeal. Broadcaster and author Konnie Huq, most widely known for being Blue Peter’s longest-serving female presenter, will be making Afghanaid’s BBC Radio 4 Appeal, which will be broadcast on 27th July 2025 at 07:54am and 21:26pm, with an additional transmission on 31st July at 15:27pm.

Nearly four years since the Taliban’s return to power, life for women and their families in Afghanistan remains extremely difficult. An ongoing economic crisis, repeated climate shocks, and severe restrictions on women and girls have combined to create a humanitarian emergency - with more than 22 million people still in need of assistance.

Widespread food insecurity is pushing families to the brink, forcing impossible choices just to survive. When food is insecure, women and girls are hit hardest, with female-headed households most at risk of hunger and malnutrition. Already barred from education, many jobs, and public life, when food is scarce, women often eat last and least to protect their children.

Yet, Afghan women are central to building a more food-secure and hopeful future. By equipping women with skills in food production and supporting them to start small businesses, we can ensure they can provide for their families, strengthen their communities, and rebuild a sense of autonomy and purpose. When women become breadwinners, they gain confidence, independence, and the respect they deserve, even in the most challenging conditions.

Our BBC Radio 4 appeal focuses on the story of a mother of six, Khatira, who received training in small-scale farming, as well as support in setting up a vegetable garden of her own. Through this, she feeds her family and sells produce at the local market, and has overcome the hunger and insecurity her family previously faced. 

Konnie Huq says:

Having been to Afghanistan and seen some of the rural lives of women first hand, this appeal struck a chord with me. Empowering and educating women is something close to my heart.

Konnie visiting Afghanaid's projects in 2008

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Afghanaid works with communities across Afghanistan to tackle the root causes of hunger, and to build inclusive, sustainable solutions to the humanitarian challenges they face. Each year, we work with over one million Afghans to support them to live free from poverty and build brighter futures.

Charles Davy, Managing Director at Afghanaid, says: 

We’re proud to have such a powerful advocate in Konnie to deliver our BBC Radio 4 Appeal and share Khatira’s story of hope and resilience. Like so many Afghan women, Khatira already had the strength to transform her future: she just needed the right tools and training to do it. We remain committed to helping more women live freer, fuller lives, and I hope that the BBC Radio 4 listeners will stand beside the women of Afghanistan at this critical time.

To make this opportunity even more special, the first £10,000 raised as part of Afghanaid's BBC Radio 4 Appeal will be matched by two of Afghanaid's longstanding supporters: The Cecil Pilkington Charitable Trust and The Utley Foundation.

Afghanaid’s BBC Radio 4 appeal will air on:

• Sunday 27th July at 07:54am and 21:26pm, Thursday 31st July at 15:27pm

ENDS

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For more information, please contact:

• Laura Rodwell, Head of Communications and Giving [email protected];
• Call +44 (0) 207 916 9883 or email [email protected].\

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Notes to editors:

About Afghanaid

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organisation. Since 1983, our dedicated staff have worked with millions of families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan. We build basic services, improve livelihoods, strengthen the rights of women and children, help communities protect against natural disasters and adapt to climate change, and respond to humanitarian emergencies in pursuit of a peaceful and thriving Afghanistan.

For more information about our work, visit our website www.afghanaid.org.uk, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and TikTok.