Photo credit: © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

Dear John,

It’s now been a year since you saw those dramatic scenes in Afghanistan last August. Many of us were probably surprised by how quickly it all changed. Thankfully, from the support of thousands of generous donors like you, UNHCR was able to provide help and reinforce our presence in the country.

Now, a year later, we can only conclude that the situation has worsened. Especially for women and girls. Peter Kessler works for UNHCR in Afghanistan, and he has seen, with his own eyes, how the situation has changed.

But it is not just freedom that has been limited for the people of Afghanistan. The financial situation in the country, and all over the world, has made it harder to make ends meet.

“The average income for a family in Afghanistan is $75. The price to feed that family is $100. That means they lack $25 worth of food each month."

Through his work, Peter often meets families who are suffering.

“Young girls are being forced into marriage. Boys are sent out to work in towns and cities, or via smuggling routes to neighboring countries to find work. Some children collect any garbage or scraps of bread that can still be eaten, or plastic waste which families burn to keep warm if they can’t afford firewood. Children are exposed to great danger when families are desperate.”

If a family has enough money for food and other necessities like preparing their households for the bitter winter weather, that desperation will not reach the same level. That is why UNHCR is working to provide much-needed cash assistance, so vulnerable displaced families get a chance to eat and ready their homes for the long winter. This also allows young boys and girls the chance to go to school rather than having to work and help their family make ends meet.

But the needs are huge. 24 million out of the 40 million people in Afghanistan are in need of help — your help.

Pakistan floods emergency

UNHCR has been standing with the people of Pakistan and Afghan refugees hosted in the country for over four decades, and previously assisted local communities in Pakistan hit by the deadly earthquake in 2005 and major floods in 2010. This year’s devastating flooding has already killed more than 1,000 people – and this number is expected to rise. UNHCR is on the ground and we have already provided refugees and host communities with more than 71,000 emergency relief items, including tents, sanitary products and sleeping mats. But we need more urgent help to reach even more people. 

Thank you for your support!

Warm regards,

Astrid van Genderen Stort
Chief of Emergencies and External Engagement Section
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

PS. A year later, the situation in Afghanistan remains dire. Families need your support in order to make ends meet. Help them today.