OCHA's pooled funds offer a glimmer of hope for drought-affected Afghans, allowing them to "believe in tomorrow."
In a health facility located in Dawlatabad District, Faryab Province, a woman is receiving medical advice, thanks to the support from the OCHA-managed Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF). Photo: OCHA/Abdullah Zahid
By Abdullah Zahid
Just a few months back, 19-year-old Bibi Nooria found herself in a state of despair. Pregnant with her third child amid an extreme heatwave in Takhar Province, she struggled with limited access to essential resources like food, clean water, and healthcare.
Fortunately, a Mobile Health and Nutrition Team, backed by both the AHF and the UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF), arrived in her village just in time. They transported Nooria to a health facility where she safely delivered a healthy baby. In addition to postnatal care, she received vaccinations for her newborn and family planning counseling.
The medical team also assisted her family in preparing for the ongoing drought, a situation that has persisted for four consecutive years and left many families with depleted reserves.
Afghanistan stands out as one of the nations most susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Approximately 80% of rural households rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, which has been severely impacted by inadequate rainfall. The resulting crop failures and dwindling water supplies have driven food insecurity to critical levels.
Collective Response through Pooled Funds
Both AHF and CERF are working diligently to help communities deal with the dire consequences of prolonged dry spells.
In a pioneering move, these funds initiated their first joint allocation specifically aimed at anticipatory action, releasing $14 million to aid over 780,000 of the most vulnerable individuals before the drought could inflict its worst toll.
UN agencies, alongside humanitarian partners, utilized this funding to assist four provinces that had been hardest hit by successive dry years: Badakhshan, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, and Takhar. They provided vital services including access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, health and nutrition support, protection programs, and multipurpose cash assistance. National non-governmental organizations played a crucial role in leading these response efforts.
Cash Assistance Meets Immediate Needs
Among the various allocations, a portion was designated for multipurpose cash assistance. This initiative enabled more than 120,000 individuals to cover pressing needs such as food, medical care, school supplies, and agricultural inputs, ultimately helping them safeguard their livelihoods.
Abdul Rahim, a 61-year-old father of six from Faryab Province, was one of the beneficiaries of the cash assistance supported by CERF. He expressed the profound impact it had on his family: "I feared I couldn’t feed my children, but the day I received the cash, I could breathe again. It wasn’t just about survival; it restored our belief in tomorrow."
With the cash, Rahim was able to purchase food, medication for his ill wife, and educational materials for his youngest daughter. This financial support meant far more than mere material aid; it rekindled their hope during a time filled with uncertainty.
Tackling Malnutrition Crisis
The ongoing drought has taken a particularly severe toll on women and children. In Faryab Province, extended periods of drought have pushed malnutrition rates beyond emergency thresholds, especially among young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. The AHF-supported Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams ventured into remote villages to provide screening, treatment, counseling, and essential hygiene and health kits.
A local resident from Dawlatabad, one of the most affected districts, remarked: "Previously, we had no access to doctors. Now, with mobile health teams visiting our village, we feel relieved and hopeful that these services will continue."
Through integrated nutrition and primary health services, the initiative has safeguarded families from life-threatening malnutrition and bolstered community resilience in the face of ongoing drought conditions.
Access to Clean Water for Communities
In drought-stricken districts like Khwaja Sabz Posh in Faryab Province, families have long faced challenges related to water scarcity, poor sanitation, and lack of access to safe drinking water due to recurring environmental shocks.
Thanks to the support from pooled funds, approximately 21,000 vulnerable individuals, including women and girls, now benefit from reliable clean water systems, enhanced sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion services.
A woman from a drought-affected area shared, "We used to walk great distances to collect water, and our children often fell ill from contaminated sources. Now, clean water is much closer to our homes, and it has transformed our daily lives."
Creating Dignified Living Spaces
As the drought exacerbates hardships in Faryab Province, shelter assistance funded by AHF is enabling vulnerable families to repair their damaged homes and rebuild their lives. In the Bilcheragh and Dawlatabad districts, over 980 families received cash assistance for rent, home repairs, and transitional shelter support, allowing them to restore safe and dignified living spaces after enduring years of displacement and declining housing conditions.
Nasima, a woman with disabilities who leads her household, expressed her gratitude, stating: "We struggled to live in a damaged home, but with your [cash] assistance, we were able to repair it. We are truly grateful for the support."
By prioritizing women-headed households, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and survivors of gender-based violence, AHF ensures that the most vulnerable families receive the help they need.
Proactive Measures for Lasting Impact
"I wish to have ongoing access to quality health services for my family," Nooria expressed. "And I hope my children can eventually attend school and become doctors, helping other mothers like me."
The support from donors, partners, and the international community is vital for facilitating rapid interventions before the most severe impacts of extreme weather are felt in Afghanistan.
Continued investment is crucial to ensure that assistance reaches those who are most at risk, helps communities adapt to climatic shocks, and inspires hope in individuals like Nooria and Rahim for a safer and more resilient future.
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