The worsening conflict in northern Afghanistan uproots thousands. Zarif, 6, peeks out from his grandmother, Herati’s makeshift tent. His father was killed during the clashes between the government and the non-government armed forces. © UNHCR/Edris Lutfi

As the fighting in Afghanistan spreads, thousands of more families are fleeing for their lives.

The Crisis

It is estimated that since the beginning of the year nearly 550,000 Afghans have been internally displaced within the country – some 244,000 since May alone.

Families speak of having to flee at a moment’s notice, only with the clothes on their backs. The risk of improvised explosive devices attacks by armed groups along the roads is high. They urgently need shelter and protection.

A Little Goes a Long Way

UNHCR is prepared to provide urgent assistance and support reception arrangements - including emergency shelter, food, health, water, sanitation support and cash assistance - despite challenges in accessing people in need. Hygiene packs, including soap and face masks, will also be distributed to help families arriving to stay safe in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

But our stocks are running low. We urgently need your help to scale up our supplies as the situation worsens.

We need your help today to prepare for the worst.

The number of civilian casualties has risen sharply since January, according to UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and an increasing proportion of women and children were among those targeted.

People Like Maryam Need Your Support

Maryam*, a mother-of-four is among the 400,000 Afghans displaced inside the country since the start of the year by the latest upsurge in violence.

She fled with her four children, parents and brother after opposition forces stormed the area and engaged in running battles with government forces.

Maryam and her family are now staying in Nawabad Farabi-ha camp in northern Afghanistan, where they live in a makeshift tent made from cloth and tied to sticks. Both Maryam and her mother are war widows, struggling to care for their family.

Maryam’s daughters make their way back to their shelter after collecting water in Nawabad Farabi-ha camp in Northern Afghanistan. © UNHCR/Edris Lutfi

UNHCR is committed to stay and deliver amidst the deteriorating situation and increasing displacement. We’ve activated our emergency preparedness and response and we’re assisting newly displaced Afghans.

Help us prepare so that we can protect these families who so desperately need support.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

ABOUT US

Australia for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner in Australia, raising awareness and funds to support UNHCR’s global emergency response to humanitarian crises. It achieves this through the generosity of individual donors like you.

For over half a century, UNHCR has helped millions of people to restart their lives. They include refugees, returnees, stateless people, the internally displaced and asylum-seekers. The protection, shelter, health, and education provided by UNHCR has been crucial in healing broken pasts and building brighter futures.

For more information, please visit us at Australia for UNHCR

For more details on how you can help provide critical aid to displaced Afghan families, please click here.