Integral Members are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and are meeting together frequently to coordinate and share information on the unfolding situation …
Woman getting water from the nearby Medair installed storage boxes for water.
Integral Members are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and are meeting together frequently to coordinate and share information on the unfolding situation. Twelve Members are actively involved in this Integral response[1].
Afghanistan continues to be affected by multiple compounding crises – 14 million people are acutely food insecure including 2 million children at risk of malnutrition. Afghanistan already has one of the world’s highest rates of stunting in children under five at 41% [Source here]. Over 570,500 people have been internally displaced by conflict since January, in addition to over 3 million before 2021 – 80 percent of these are women and children. COVID-19 continues to spread with 153,148 confirmed cases.
Following the recent transfer of power, Afghanistan faces uncertainty and a serious economic crisis as the price of everyday items skyrocket. Hunger is expected to continue mounting as wheat and other food prices climb. [Source here].
Two Integral Members have offices in Afghanistan, with others supporting the work of their long-term Partner organisations. Members are also supporting refugee resettlement in their HQ countries, as well monitoring the movement of refugees into the countries bordering Afghanistan. A number of Integral Members have launched fundraising appeals to support humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
Corine Verdoold, Tearfund UK’s Country Director Iraq and Afghanistan says, “The growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan- exacerbated by increased conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity, growing numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) and an ongoing drought- require critical, life-saving assistance. Tearfund is working with its Partners on the ground, who are identifying how to support people who have been displaced, by providing emergency food supplies, relief commodities and trauma counselling. Working with the Integral Alliance, we are able to maximise our impact together by drawing on our collective expertise, experience and resources.”
Anna Coffin, Medair’s Head of Country Programmes for Afghanistan & Somalia says, “The humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are alarmingly high. Medair is responding to critical needs in health, nutrition, safe water and food security. Collaboration with Integral Alliance Members is helping us to raise awareness of the needs in Afghanistan to a wider audience around the world and will help us to reach more people in need as we share resources.”
In the initial stages of an Integral response, calls are held as frequently as necessary, so that Members can share information in the critical phase when needs are acute. The Integral online platform enables Members to share photos and stories, response plans and funding needs.
[1] Cedar Fund (Hong Kong), Food for the Hungry (US & Canada), International Health Partners (UK), Medair (Switzerland), Medical Teams International (USA), Mission East (Denmark), Tearfund Switzerland, Tearfund Australia, Tearfund New Zealand, Tearfund (UK), Transform Aid Australia, World Relief (US)
