Islamic Relief worldwide Afghanistan

Islamic Relief has been working in Afghanistan for more than 23 years, providing emergency relief and implementing life-changing development projects for some of the most vulnerable people in the country.

We set up our first Afghanistan field office in 1999. Early projects included providing health and nutrition for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, distributing food and supporting girls’ schools in the south. 

Since the political changes in August 2021, an economic collapse – brought on by years of conflict, poor governance, drought and now international sanctions – has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions of Afghans don’t know where their next meal will come from. 

With support from our generous supporters around the world, Islamic Relief is scaling up our work in Afghanistan. Today we work in 11 provinces in all corners of the country (Balkh, Bamyan, Faryab, Baghlan, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Kunar, Kunduz and Nangarhar) as well as responding to emergencies elsewhere as needed, such as the June 2022 earthquake in Paktika.

Our work combines emergency relief with development. We provide life-saving humanitarian aid such as food packs and blankets during the harsh winter. We support long-term livelihoods by helping farmers, training women entrepreneurs, creating jobs and giving cash grants. And we support families by running primary health clinics, nutrition services and education projects.

We focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations such as women, girls, orphaned children, people with disabilities and older people.

We work closely with other humanitarian organisations and UN agencies. In 2022 we announced a major new partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to inject cash into the economy, boost food production and support small businesses across Afghanistan.

With your support we can help build a better future for people across Afghanistan.