How you can help people in Afghanistan
As the UN Security Council calls on the Taliban to allow people to leave Afghanistan, it’s clear the extent of personal liberties and human rights will remain unclear and inconsistent for quite some time. Whilst we wait to see how the Taliban will rule the country and whether the small freedoms they promised will be delivered or not, here are some organisations through which you can provide financial aid and resources to help those living there.
Care4Calais is a volunteer run refugee charity. Essential items like clothing, shoes, phones and basic hygiene items are always in desperate need and sometimes the only things people are able to bring with them as they flee. To donate these items, on the Care4Calais website, simply use this map to pinpoint your nearest donation point and drop off your items.
2. Sanitary Products for the Displaced Afghan Women
This is often something we worry about when hearing news from war torn regions. Period poverty is real and so is continuing pressure on women to hide their struggles, even through such unimaginable circumstances. The Educate a Child for Change Organization in California in the United States of America has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to provide sanitary napkins and and diapers to women and their babies.
3. UNICEF
Of-course the Children’s Fund of the United Nations is another trusted place when to comes to knowing that your donations are actually helping those in need. They estimate hundreds of children have already been killed with over a 1000 injured and many more in need of clothing, food and medicine. You can give single or regular monthly donations through the page or by phone on the number provided on the page with UNICEF saying £43 could provide a family with an emergency water and hygiene kit.
4. Muslim Hands
Muslim Hands is a UK based NGO on the ground in Afghanistan distributing emergency food parcels, blankets, pillows, cooked hot meals, and powdered milk to new mothers. They have options for where you would like your donation to be put to work including in providing emergency kits, emergency food, towards prenatal and postnatal care for new mothers, towards sponsoring an orphan or just generally, to wherever it is next most needed.
5. Women for Women International
Atop the political and economic uncertainty and violence, women in particular, in Afghanistan are facing educational inequality, sexual violence and poor health. Women for Women International have developed a program that teaches women to know and defend their rights and become financially self sufficient. By donating to their emergency fund, you can help to keep them going and to aid them in protecting women.
6. International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee has been in Afghanistan since 1988, helping in areas such as healthcare, education, protection and economic well-being. You can provide either a monthly or one-time donation and it will help them set up mobile healthcare centres, learning centres in rural areas and tents, clothing, food and medicine to uprooted families.