Pray for Afghanistan
Pray for peace in Afghanistan and throughout the world.
The people of Afghanistan are in desperate need of help. Their situation has been made worse by the Taliban takeover and by the earthquakes that hit the country on 21 June 2021, 7 October 2023 and 15 October 2023.
What is happening in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. With nearly 29 million people, more than 65% of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance.
The collapse of the country's economy resulted in food prices soaring and 64% of households unable to meet their basic needs. The situation was also exacerbated by the Taliban takeover.
The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan in June 2021 caused even more devastation. Over 1,000 people were killed and thousands more injured.
Afghanistan was hit with another powerful earthquake on 7 October 2023. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks have devastated at least 12 villages in western Afghanistan, killing over 2,000 people and injuring thousands more.
Yet another powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck western Afghanistan on 15 October 2023, just over a week after strong quakes and aftershocks killed thousands of people and flattened entire villages in the same region.
The worst affected communities are remote and consist of mud structures which have been destroyed resulting in many Afghans finding themselves homeless or unable to access basic needs and rights.
Abdul Ali* is a village elder. He estimates that 300 people have died after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed his village on the 15 October 2023.
What are the most urgent needs in Afghanistan?
CAFOD has worked in Afghanistan since the late 1980s. We are responding to the multiple crises in Afghanistan. Thanks to donations made by CAFOD supporters to our Appeal, we have provided emergency support to thousands of families to help them put food on the table and survive the harsh winter.
We continue to support Afghans with urgent needs – both within Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries – whilst also continuing to provide longer-term support like education.
We have committed an additional £70,000 to support our local trusted partner who are working to provide urgent help to those affected by the recent earthquakes.
“The Afghan people cannot bear another tragedy. Millions of people in the country are already struggling to survive due to the deep economic and social crisis following the takeover of power by the Taliban in August 2021, which compounded periods of drought, decades of conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic and has been made worse by the surge in food prices due to the conflict in Ukraine.”
How can I help people in Afghanistan?
Any donation you can give to our appeal will help us reach those in need in Afghanistan. Help us to reach people living in this unprecedented humanitarian crisis by donating to our Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.