As winter closes in on Afghanistan’s mountains, Christian World Service is deeply concerned for its people.

Thousands of people fled famine, drought and conflict before the Taliban takeover but now the situation is worsening day by day. Over 18 million people were already in need of food, water, sanitation, shelter, and hygiene before the conflict erupted.

“We have been truly heartened by the steady stream of donations to our appeal for Afghanistan. People have been very generous however we understand more help is needed as our local partners struggle to meet needs in a very difficult operating environment,” says Murray Overton, National Director.

The first stage of CWS’s appeal will fund cash transfers directly to the most vulnerable families. By mid-September local partner, Community World Service Asia had only been able to distribute funds to ten desperate families. The planned cash transfers have been delayed because of the shortage of cash in the country and the tight controls on withdrawals. Community World Service Asia is checking the practicality of new rules before proceeding with the plan. International banking sanctions affecting the sending of aid are adding to the complications faced by aid agencies.

Families like Azeem’s have found temporary shelter in cities after the conflict became unbearable in their villages. With his wife and five children, he first fled to Kunduz City. His parents refused to go with them. When Azeem returned, he found most of the houses bombed and his parents dead. He buried them and returned to Kunduz City with the tragic news. When the conflict intensified in Kunduz, he took his family to Kabul where a relative gave them space to shelter. His family survives on the little food donated by communities while he waits for a cash transfer. 

Community World Service Asia operates 26 schools for girls and four community-based schools. The primary schools are continuing without major challenge. However, the latest ban on secondary education for girls has forced them to advocate with the authorities, and the United Nations cluster in an effort to reverse the decision.

“The situation is extremely difficult for people in Afghanistan and for many they have family and friends trapped with nowhere to go. Please remember them in your prayers,” adds Murray.

CWS has been following the situation closely and participating in local advocacy. Last month CWS, the Methodist Church, Presbyterian Moderator Right Reverend Fakaofo Kaio, Archbishop Philip Robinson and Pihopa Don Tamihere signed an open letter to Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. The 61 individuals and groups asked her to provide more government aid for humanitarian assistance and to resettle more Afghanis here. A letter writing campaign to all MPs followed this.

“The New Zealand Government spent 20 years and hundreds of millions of dollars in military expenditure as part of the international intervention in Afghanistan. We have an obligation to the people of Afghanistan to stand by them now. Be it the provision of aid, or safe pathways to New Zealand, the time for response is immediate and the cost of inaction is high. We now call on you to do more,” ends the letter.

Donations to the Afghanistan Emergency Appeal and information about the advocacy can be found at cws.org.nz or by phoning 0800 74 73 72.

Photo credit: Community World Service AsiaCaption: When fighting came to his village in Afghanistan's Khanabad District, Azeem fled with his family to Kunduz City and then to Kabul. After a week living and sleeping in the open air, a relative offered them shelter. They are surviving on small amounts of food donated by neighbouring villagers. With the arrival of winter, this will not last. More help is needed.