Thank you for standing with Afghanistan

Increasing conflict and insecurity have prompted the displacement of some 600,000 Afghan civilians this year. While the full impact of the evolving political situation is not yet clear, we have witnessed many forced to flee within Afghanistan amid what is now a humanitarian emergency of internal displacement.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi recently visited Afghanistan where he met with the interim Afghan government as well as some of the hundreds of UN and NGO staff that have stayed on the ground and maintained operations, despite challenging circumstances.

UNHCR continues to provide critical and life-saving support to the millions of Afghans requiring humanitarian assistance, with access to almost all provinces in Afghanistan. Our priorities are providing protection and core relief items including food, shelter, water and hygiene and sanitation kits. 

“The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains desperate” – Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for UNHCR

UNHCR has provided life-saving support to over 332,000 newly internally displaced persons in 2021, including over 115,000 between 1 August and 7 September 2021.

We are so grateful for the support we have received from our generous donors and supporters here in Australia. We offer our profound thanks to Ben Quilty and the many other artists and members of the community who donated and held fundraisers to help the people of Afghanistan.

Your support has ensured that UNHCR can continue its critical and life-saving work in the country while also working with authorities in countries neighbouring Afghanistan to plan and prepare for potential future large-scale movement of Afghan refugees, including to safeguard their right to seek asylum. 

“The United Nations Refugee Agency is committed to protecting and assisting those who are fleeing. We must help in all the possible ways we can. Thank you for your support to the Afghan people in their moment of need,” – Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for UNHCR

Your support has helped UNHCR:

• Provide food, cash, household items, health and water and sanitation to thousands of people in the capital of Kabul
• Distribute emergency shelter and non-food items, cash assistance for vulnerable households, and refer vulnerable individuals to specialised services such as medical care
• Continue to run healthcare and education programs for women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable at this time.

This month, six of our trucks crossed the border into Afghanistan loaded with life-saving aid for vulnerable Afghans who have been driven out of their homes by conflict.

Over the next few weeks, we have more trucks planned to arrive, piled high with essential supplies including blankets, kitchen sets, jerry cans and tarpaulins. These shipments will allow us to help more people in need, as well as top up our stockpiles should the conflict cause more innocent families to flee.

“Now more than ever, Afghan children, women and men need the support and solidarity of the international community. The humanitarian system’s commitment to stay and deliver will not waver.” António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General.

Please donate now and help protect Afghan families forced to flee.

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