Habib* is screened for malnutrition at a health clinic supported by DEC charity International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan. In a country where eight million people are on the brink of famine and a million children under the age of five are at risk of dying over the next three months, children like Habib urgently need help to stay alive. *Name changed
A number of charities in Northern Ireland have joined a major DEC fundraising appeal as a catastrophic rise in hunger sweeps Afghanistan.
Supported locally by the British Red Cross, Tearfund, Save the Children and Concern Worldwide, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Afghanistan Crisis Appeal will launch on Wednesday 15 December to raise funds for urgent humanitarian response in Afghanistan.
The appeal comes as conflict and economic collapse, coupled with the worst drought in 27 years and the Covid-19 pandemic, bring the situation in Afghanistan to a tipping point.
DEC charities, including those operating locally, say that urgent action to scale up operations is needed to prevent many lives being lost as more than 22 million people – 55% of the population – don't have enough to eat.
More than eight million people are on the brink of famine, with a million children under the age of five at risk of dying over the next three months. Acting quickly is essential before the freezing winter sets in, with temperatures falling as low as -12 degrees centigrade.
Three million children under five are expected to suffer acute malnutrition over the winter as families are unable to grow or pay for food. DEC charities are reporting that hospitals are already struggling to treat shockingly malnourished mothers and children due to a lack of medicines and supplies.
A pharmacist from one of Afghan Red Crescent's mobile health teams provides much-needed medicines during a community visit.
Kevin McCaughan, Senior Institutional Programme Funding Officer at the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland said:
“There is no doubt that things have reached a crisis point in Afghanistan. The conflict of recent months is in addition to existing chronic poverty, the worst drought the country has seen in almost three decades and a pandemic that led to mass population displacement. We know, through existing work in the country, that the situation has been dire for many years, but it is now clear that a coordinated joined-up approach is necessary.”
“In Northern Ireland, the generosity of our people knows no limits and we have a chance to support millions of people, an overwhelming amount of whom are woman and children, from famine. As Afghanistan enters the winter months, we are appealing for people to urgently donate whatever they can to support those who desperately need it.”
Saleh Saeed, DEC Chief Executive, said:
“The situation in Afghanistan is now beyond horrific. A million children are at risk of dying this winter. We can’t just sit back and let that happen. We must act fast to reach them with the food they so badly need.”
“Our members are on the ground and already helping but we urgently need to scale this work up to reach many more in need. People are starving – eight million are on the brink of famine.”
“We're urging people to donate to help families feed their children, protect themselves against freezing temperatures and to provide vital medical supplies to deal with malnutrition, hypothermia and acute respiratory infections, otherwise many young children will simply not survive the coming months. Thanks to the UK Government, donations from the public will be doubled up to £10 million.”
How to donate:
Online: dec.org.uk
Phone: 0370 60 60 610
SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70150. Texts cost £10 and the whole £10 goes to the DEC AFGHANISTAN CRISIS APPEAL. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk
Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque by post to Post: DEC Afghanistan Crisis Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.