As the large-scale evacuation of people from Afghanistan comes to a close, the aid agency CARE is warning that 12.2 million Afghans – the equivalent of around half Australia’s population – are facing acute hunger.

Many parts of the country are experiencing drought, made worse by a warm winter with rain and snowfall at half their usual levels. As a result, farmers’ crops are failing and families are struggling to get enough to eat. 

Drought, food shortages and the threat of violent conflict have displaced 550,000 people within the country this year alone, and 80% of them are women and children. CARE knows from experience that displaced women and girls face greater risks to their health, safety and wellbeing.

CARE Afghanistan’s Deputy Country Director, Marianne O’Grady, said: “For displaced people living in the open, survival is a day-to-day prospect. By the time the hot Afghanistan sun has peaked over the horizon each morning, families have already contemplated tough questions – ‘How will we access food today? Will there be water to drink? Where will we sleep tonight?'”

CARE plans to give the equivalent of $250 AUD to displaced households so they can afford food, shelter and other essentials.

“Financial assistance is a highly effective and efficient form of humanitarian aid, allowing families to decide for themselves what they need the most, while also supporting the local economy,” Ms O’Grady said. 

“The Afghan people are resilient and hard-working, but they have been dealt blow after blow and need our support now more than ever. CARE urges the international community to step-up funding and stand in solidarity with the Afghan people.”

CARE has worked in Afghanistan since 1961 and reached more than 1 million people in 2020. Donate to our Afghanistan Emergency Appeal. 

For media enquiries, contact Iona Salter on 0413 185 634.