Last week, in Kabul, Afghanistan, a mother and her six children were killed when heavy rain caused their home to suddenly collapse on them as they slept. The mother and her children — three girls and three boys between the ages of 4 and 15 — were found under the rubble. 

Rahmatullah, a relative, described the tragic scene to AP News: “There was a sudden loud sound. We rushed to the scene to see that our [family] was trapped.”

Rahmatullah’s family is among the dozens of casualties caused by extreme weather in Afghanistan. 

Throughout the region, snow and heavy rain can trigger flash floods that kill dozens, or even hundreds, of people. Homes, especially in remote areas, are often built out of mud and offer little protection from the elements — if they can withstand the heavy rain and snow in the first place.

Your support can be the lifesaving difference for families like Rahmatullah’s in the extreme cold, freezing rain, and sudden floods. Your gift can provide blankets and waterproof tarpaulin sheets to women and girls who don’t have anything to shield them from the harsh winter conditions.

UNFPA distributed blankets and tarpaulin sheets to women in the southeastern province of Paktia, Afghanistan to shield them from winter’s freezing temperatures.

Women, girls, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to plummeting temperatures which put them at greater risk of illness and death. Afghanistan’s shrinking health infrastructure cannot support the growing need. Over 400 health facilities have closed, but supporters like you can bring lifesaving care back to families in need.

Will you make a gift today to provide blankets, essential healthcare, and lifesaving medicines and supplies for women and girls in Afghanistan and wherever help is needed most?

Thank you for being there for women, girls, and their families. 

— USA for UNFPA