After Taliban’s takeover, despite all the difficulties, Mission East has managed to secure food, blankets, and hygiene kits for more than 20,000 vulnerable people in north-eastern Afghanistan.
Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Mission East’s 100 local staff chose to stay in the country with their lives at stake and continue the development aid that the Danish organisation has been providing for over 20 years.
Today, we can see that despite political instability, strict restrictions on women in particular, and a halt to foreign funding, Mission East has managed to provide aid to thousands of families in north-eastern Afghanistan since the takeover. 2,175 families have received cash to buy food. 1,300 families have received winter aid in the form of blankets, hygiene items, and kitchen equipment. And in February 1,750 families received food aid.
Mission East has ensured that the organisation’s local staff have full and free access with help to those families in remote villages who need it most. Female staff can now work in the office and ensure that aid reaches the villages.
After a thorough screening process, the aid is distributed to households with family members who are either sick, elderly, single parents or challenged by disabilities. It has been distributed as banks have allowed smaller withdrawals and private money transfer services have become available again.
Relief is a top priority for Mission East
Surveys are currently underway in the northeastern provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan to provide food for an additional 4,500 families in need. At the same time, longer-term food security projects such as horticulture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, agriculture, and small business start-ups are being resumed.
Water and shelter have also been provided to 158 and 65 vulnerable families respectively. There are plans to expand the effort with the establishment of water systems and proper toilet facilities.
EXAMPLES:
Meet Anwar, who has lost a leg and has eight children to support. With cash assistance, he can now pay for his sick wife to go to the hospital.
Come to Warduj, where 206 families who lost everything in the mudslides have received blankets, soap, and kitchen sets. So have 412 displaced families in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces.
Meet Qurban, who is happy and proud to receive a water post from Mission East. Before, children died of diarrhea and dysentery. Today, they are healthy and able to do their homework.
Also meet Zaidulkhair, who has received beekeeping training and equipment from Mission East. The bees give the family an income when all other sources of income dry up.
FACTS:
Since the Taliban took power on 15 August 2021, Mission East has been able to help those in need in Afghanistan:
Cash for food for 2,175 families
Carpets, soap, and kitchen utensils for around 1,300 families
Access to clean drinking water for 158 families
Shelter for 65 vulnerable families
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