AKDN’s work in Afghanistan during the current humanitarian crisis

We are adapting our activities to the evolving situation

  • Afghanistan is going through a very challenging period. Over the past few months, AKDN agencies have remained operational and functional despite significant challenges.
  • Even as international funding was suspended in August 2021, the AKDN demonstrated its unwavering commitment to Afghanistan by carefully and cautiously maintaining operations across multiple provinces and districts.
  • AKDN’s approach is based on working with, and being accepted by, communities. All actions and activities implemented by the AKDN in Afghanistan are inclusive of diverse communities.
  • AKDN abides by the principles of impartiality and neutrality. AKDN observes strict political neutrality. AKDN’s officials regularly meet national and local leaders, international organisations, diplomats and civil society leaders. Such engagement, across a wide spectrum of actors, seeks to assure AKDN’s ability to achieve its primary purpose: to support vulnerable communities to improve their opportunities and their quality of life.
  • All AKDN agencies continue to adjust and adapt to the evolving situation. This includes an increased focus on direct humanitarian support, and strict compliance with international requirements and sanctions.

We will continue to promote and demonstrate our values through our actions and our engagement with all stakeholders

  • In Afghanistan, AKDN will continue to promote and demonstrate our values. This includes respect for human dignity, compassion and solidarity with the less fortunate, self-reliance, pluralism: taking decisions and actions which are grounded in respect for diversity, in addition to the right to participate and determine local priorities.
  • We will take all efforts so that marginalised groups, including women, girls, the disabled, as well as minorities, are included in project design and implementation. While we carefully monitor and observe new policy directions, we will remain proactive and take steps to provide a safe environment for female employees, and ensure diverse voices are included and valued.

We are taking all available actions, alongside numerous partners, to improve food security across the country

  • Recognising the urgency and magnitude of the current food security situation, AKDN agencies have adjusted their programmes to address immediate humanitarian needs, livelihoods, early economic recovery, as well as a continuum of essential services.
  • International partners responded generously to the Aga Khan Foundation’s emergency humanitarian appeal, launched in September, which outlined a proposed 6-month rapid response to address immediate humanitarian needs along with elements of a 20-month early economic recovery programme that addresses the economic crisis.
  • The programme will complement other humanitarian assistance actions and activities, including those by UN agencies. Initially, it will target vulnerable households and then will extend to reach 500,000 households across multiple geographies.
  • In parallel to responding to immediate humanitarian needs, AKDN agencies will continue to take steps to address Afghanistan’s medium-term economic recovery, recognising that current development challenges are linked to the chronic issues. AKDN agencies remain committed to addressing these issues through sophisticated, meaningful solutions. When the environment permits, we will resume this work.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and adapt our responses to ensure the safety and security of our employees, their families, and the communities we serve

  • The safety and security of our employees, their families, and the communities we serve remains the highest priority for the AKDN. We continue to take all possible measures to avoid harm and ensure safe work environments and programme implementation. We will take steps to improve our understanding of safety concerns and will monitor political and security dynamics in order to respond appropriately.