Afghanistan
Total population: 34.6 million
Total population under 18: 17.7 million
Children affected by conflict: 16 million
Number of War Child projects in 2017: Two
Number of implementing partner organisations: One
Number of partners providing funding: One
Total child participants: 3,040 (1,348 girls and 1,692 boys)
Total adult participants: none
Why We’re There
Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian crisis which has forced large numbers of people from their homes. Some one million people are currently on the move - both inside the country and around the border areas with Pakistan and Iran. This figure includes 400,000 undocumented returnees and tens of thousands of people entering the country from Pakistan.
These population movements threaten to make the fragile situation inside Afghanistan still worse. Four decades of violent conflict inside the country show no sign of ending. Recent years have seen an upsurge in Taliban activity and increasing numbers of people cannot meet basic food needs.
In total some 3.5 million people inside Afghanistan are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance - more than half (57 per cent) of whom are children. Afghan children grow up with the constant threat of violence and face numerous other rights violations - including forced marriage, corporal punishment and hazardous working conditions.
What We Do
War Child has worked in Afghanistan - together with War Child UK - to provide increased access to educational opportunities for vulnerable children in urban and rural areas in Kabul. Our programmes are designed to support children aged from four to six in their development until early primary school.
We will continue to support the education and child protection activities provided by War Child UK in 2018. In 2017 we also participated in an international Joint Response as part of the Dutch Relief Alliance.
Our Projects
Educational Opportunities for Vulnerable Children:
This project addressed the protection, education and psychosocial support needs of vulnerable children aged between four and six. The early childhood care and development (ECCD) needs of children in both urban and rural areas surrounding Kabul were targeted and additional support was provided to parents and caregivers.
Afghanistan Joint Response 2:
War Child was one of seven NGOs to participate in this humanitarian intervention as part of our participation in the Dutch Relief Alliance. The programme saw relief efforts to assist Internally Displaced Persons and other communities affected by the conflict and (undocumented) returnees from Iran and Pakistan.