26.08.2021

Swiss Solidarity Launches an Appeal for Donations for Aid in Afghanistan

The Taliban takeover has caused widespread panic and is foreshadowing a new wave of humanitarian needs in this already desperate country. Swiss Solidarity is launching an appeal for donations to help deliver essential aid on the ground in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries where people whose lives are most at risk are seeking refuge.

The Taliban takeover has caused widespread panic and is foreshadowing a new wave of humanitarian needs in this already desperate country. Swiss Solidarity is launching an appeal for donations to help deliver essential aid on the ground in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries where people whose lives are most at risk are seeking refuge. SwS is in close contact with its partner organisations already active on the ground and is providing them with CHF 1 million from its emergency fund. Swiss Solidarity welcomes donations made to postal account 10-15000-6 quoting the reference “Afghanistan”, or directly through the website.

 

 

400’000 People Fleeing

Immediately after the Taliban takeover, panic spread throughout Afghanistan. Throngs of people are trying their luck at the airport in the hopes of leaving, while thousands of others, especially women, are confined to their homes, waiting to see what the new regime has in store for them. Over 400,000 people fleeing the Taliban’s rapid advance through the country had sought safety mostly in Kabul and Kandahar, yet now find themselves trapped and in need. The indicators paint a grim picture: drought, fighting and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have plunged 9.1 million people into hunger. And this number is about to skyrocket.

 

Deploying Humanitarian Aid

Due to the violence that has plagued Afghanistan for decades, the country has always been a difficult one in which to carry out humanitarian work, which calls for patience and caution. However, the Taliban know that they cannot do without humanitarian aid and, at least for the time being, are providing assurances that they welcome it. It is crucial that we support organisations on the ground so that they can expand their programmes to fight the looming humanitarian disaster. Swiss Solidarity has two partners in Afghanistan—Terre des hommes and Medair—and they are focusing on providing food, healthcare (related to COVID-19 in particular) and direct assistance to the most vulnerable people. Furthermore, Swiss Solidarity is able to support its partners and their own networks, namely MSF and Helvetas, as well as the ICRC.

In response to the population’s distress, Swiss Solidarity’s partner organisations can expand their humanitarian programmes to fight hunger and prevent the complete collapse of the healthcare system. We are allocating CHF 1 million from our emergency fund and are counting on the solidarity of the people of Switzerland to make a real difference
Ernst Lüber, Swiss Solidarity’s Head of Projects

As humanitarian needs in Afghanistan explode, the population groups most threatened by the new regime—educated women in particular—are expected to seek new escape routes. Swiss Solidarity will also support humanitarian projects in neighbouring countries—Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan to name a few—as soon as refugees start arriving there.

APPEAL FOR

DONATIONS

 

Already tenuous essential services such as healthcare and education are at risk of collapse. It is indispensable that humanitarian organisations expand their services, namely primary healthcare and food distribution.

With this desperate situation affecting a majority of Afghans, your donations will enable a humanitarian response that matches the scale of the crisis, not only locally but also in neighbouring countries.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our Foundation, please contact us. We will be happy to answer you.