Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country of beauty and resilience, but decades of conflict, economic collapse and natural disasters have left millions struggling to survive. 

Political instability and underdevelopment have also devastated the economy and infrastructure. Today, 22.9 million people need urgent humanitarian aid (UNOCHA, 2025).  

From earthquakes and drought to displacement and hunger, families across Afghanistan face extreme poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and the impacts of climate change. 

Now, following a government order for Afghan Citizen Card holders and undocumented individuals to leave Pakistan by April 2025, hundreds of thousands are returning to Afghanistan – many with nothing. 

Islamic Relief’s work in Afghanistan 

Since 1992, Islamic Relief has been a lifeline for communities in Afghanistan, providing emergency aid and long-term support through decades of crisis. 

From responding to deadly earthquakes and mass returns to delivering healthcare to those in need, our work continues to save lives and build resilience. 

Responding to emergencies and rebuilding lives 

Islamic Relief has been a lifeline in Afghanistan, providing emergency aid when disaster strikes. 

When a series of deadly earthquakes hit Herat in October 2023, our teams were among the first responders on the ground. Thanks to your donations, we delivered clean water, mobile health clinics, and shelter to people in need. 

Over 2023-2024 we reached 110,000 people with our assistance, building earthquake-resilient homes, installing water tanks, and providing cash assistance to help families rebuild. 

In 2025, as hundreds of thousands of Afghans returned from Pakistan in dire need following governmental orders to leave the country, Islamic Relief once again responded; distributing tents, constructing latrines and delivering drinking water.  

In times of disaster, we stand by Afghanistan’s most vulnerable communities. 

Bringing healthcare to remote areas 

Islamic Relief is expanding access to vital healthcare in Afghanistan’s most remote areas. In 2023, we set up the Sub-Health Centre in Shino village, Kunar province, serving thousands of people from surrounding mountain communities thanks to your generous donations. 

The clinic offers a wide range of essential services such as sexual and reproductive healthcare, maternal care, psychosocial support, health education and malnutrition treatment. 

Our teams see approximately 1,000 patients per month, many of whom are women and children with diverse medical needs. By supporting clinics like this, we’re helping ensure that vulnerable people no longer have to risk long, dangerous journeys to receive the care they need. 

Helping farmers adapt to climate change 

We are also helping farmers across Afghanistan adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change, recurring drought and lack of water. 

Through our Resilience Building Through Advancing Livelihoods (ReAL) programme in 2021, more than 38,000 people, including 2,000 rural farmers, were given the tools they need to survive and adapt.