Walk and Run 2019
The 2019 Walk and Run took place in April to aid building resistance to climate change in Afghanistan. We would like to thank all the organisers and participants for making the event such a success. The next Walk and Run will take place in 2021 – sign up to our newsletter to find out the exact dates and be the first to hear all our news.
About Walk & Run 2019
The Aga Khan Foundation together with the European Commission will work with communities in Badakshan to protect them from the harmful effects of climate change. The European Commission will contribute £9 for every £1 raised for the project.
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project cost
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investment over time
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circa household benefit
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THOUSANDS
people benefit
About Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s population and the economy are dependent on agricultural production, particularly subsistence farming. Agriculture is a source of income for 23% of the country’s 35 million people, and accounts for 44% of employment. Warmer temperatures resulting from climate change have led to increasing periods of drought and chronic water shortages compromising people’s ability to feed themselves, raise livestock and produce adequate income.
In rural North East Afghanistan, this problem has been compounded by terrain that is prone to natural disasters and its exposure to harsh weather conditions. Heat waves, floods and droughts, reduced snow capping and subsequent glacial lake outbursts resulting in the destruction of property, crop failure, the erosion of vital arable land and the loss of life affects this area disproportionately.
Climate change has led to increasing periods of drought and chronic water shortages in Afghanistan
What will AKF do?
Together with the European Commission, the Aga Khan Foundation UK will work with communities in Badakshan to ensure their homes and assets are better protected, they have food security and access to water throughout the year and that an additional 1,500 hectares of land is transformed into productive farms to help improve livelihoods. How?
AKF will work with local communities and government to:
- Build dams and protective walls to protect vulnerable villages and households
- Construct water storage units to ensure families have access to water year round
- Distribute drought resistant crops to reduce food insecurity
- Help form and train women’s reforestation groups
- Plant trees to reduce soil and riverbank erosion and catastrophic mudslides
- Produce crops (e.g. pistachio and almond trees) that can be sold to improve incomes
- Support schools to integrate an environment education programme
