Emergency appeals launched for Afghanistan
Melanie May | 18 August 2021 | News
With all eyes on Afghanistan and many of us looking for ways to support its people, here’s a round up of some of the appeals specifically launched in response to the current crisis.
Among them are UK for UNHCR, which has launched an urgent appeal for funds so that the UN Refugee Agency can continue delivering support for displaced people across the country.
This year, more than 550,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes, including 390,000 people who have fled since May alone. Figures show that women and children make up around 80 per cent of those fleeing.
Advertisement
UNHCR teams and partners in Afghanistan are providing emergency shelter materials (such as tarpaulins), food, water and sanitary supplies, and assessing the needs of newly displaced people as the situation continues to evolve.
Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said:
“As we witness the heartbreaking and harrowing scenes in Kabul and across Afghanistan, we are deeply concerned that more and more people will be displaced in the coming days. UNHCR is on the ground delivering essential aid, but more support is needed urgently.”
Choose Love is also asking for support, with two ways to help: writing to your MP that the UK needs to begin humanitarian evacuations now, and donating to provide aid and services to Afghan refugees, with the charity working with a network of Afghan-led organisations in the country.
The British Red Cross has also launched an appeal for Afghanistan and is urging the public to donate to help meet people’s basic needs in the region.
Richard Blewitt, British Red Cross Executive Director of International said:
“Afghanistan is in crisis. Today millions of people are experiencing severe food shortages and hunger – compounded by decades of conflict, years of extreme drought and spiralling cases of Covid-19.
“The Red Cross and Red Crescent has been providing humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan for decades. We won’t stop now.
“We’re asking the British public to help us to meet people’s basic needs – your money can provide food, basic medical supplies and medicines, shelter and water. If you can, go to redcross.org.uk to donate now.”
The Big Give is working with Afghanaid, supporting its Afghan Crisis Appeal. The charity is delivering emergency support to families whose lives have been destroyed or uprooted by the conflict, with donations to the appeal given via The Big Give match funded.
More appeals and charities supporting the Afghan people
More appeals
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.