Disaster Response Trust Fund for Afghanistan 

Why is it important to have disaster funds for Afghanistan?

The disaster funds will provide immediate life-saving assistance to those in need. Here is why:

Under the former administration, Afghanistan had a somewhat organised plan and a reserve fund to provide urgent aid in response to an unexpected event/disaster such as a suicide attack or natural disaster. However, since the fall of the Afghan government, there have been no mechanisms to help people struck by terrorist attacks or natural disasters.  Since August last year, 700 people have died and 1406 wounded due to explosions and bomb blasts. In July 2022, an earthquake hit three southeastern provinces (Paktia, Paktika and Khost) and destroyed roughly 1500  houses, killing 1000 people. In the recent flood in Parwan province, 100s of houses were destroyed, and 37 people were killed, including women and children. Moreover, the humnaitarian crisis in Afghanistan has impacted almost every family particulary families led by women. The  Disaster Response 4: Supporting Households Led by Afghan Women will provide assistance to women led families who are suffereing due to the humanitarian crisis or during these harsh months of winter. 

It is essential that Aseel creates a disaster response trust fund for Afghanistan at this time to be used urgently at the time of crisis. In addition, we will enable the platform to be able to urgently create campaigns in addition to the reserve funds to further support at a time of crisis. 

Why is it essential for Aseel to have the potential to provide rapid aid response in times of emergency? 

The unfortunate events from the start of 2022 took hundreds of lives. Most of the victims were breadwinners for their families, and their families were entirely dependent on their earnings. With their loss, the families have been left unattended to, in dire need of financial support. The wounded ones are also unable to work. Some temporarily and some for a long time. The injuries and disabilities again, have adverse financial impacts on them and their families. In addition, the families have been left to pay costs towards treating their wounded or to pay for funeral costs. Most of these families have no savings, or they make enough to meet one day’s expenses.

We have had natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and floods in different provinces in Afghanistan with the changes in climate. It affects hundreds of families every year and forces them into displacement and loss of home and earning. Again these families have no financial security or aid to help them through the crisis. The victims of the above disasters can be supported (albeit to a degree) with the help of a disaster fund. This can be done with our existing food, shelter and medical packages or a tailor-made package fit to meet the specific needs. Having a disaster fund will allow us to provide support with immediate effect rather than days and hours of fundraising as reserve funds could be crucial and life-saving in times of emergency.