Service Projects

Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts and floods. With the compounding effects of decades of conflict and economic crisis, millions of people are now living in displacement. 84% of the population are living below the poverty line, and an estimated 23.7 million people – more than half of Afghanistan’s population – are projected to require humanitarian assistance. The country is already on its knees and is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

In October 2023, Herat province in western Afghanistan was struck by multiple earthquakes with magnitude greater than 6 in less than two weeks. Over 2,000 people have been killed and 200,000 people have been affected. Entire villages have been flattened with some 40,000 houses reported to have been destroyed or damaged.

Abdul Qayoum and his children moved to tents as their house was severely affected in the earthquakes. Their tent offered little defense against the biting cold and relentless winds, leaving his children shivering night after night. Abdul Qayoum then decided to dig into the ground, hoping to create a more secure space for his newborns.

Also in October, the government of Pakistan announced plans to repatriate undocumented individuals, triggering an influx of returnees back to Afghanistan. As of January 2024, nearly 500,000 Afghans have already returned, many of whom are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The International Red Cross has been actively engaged in Afghanistan humanitarian efforts over the past decades, focusing on food and livelihood assistance, health interventions, wash, sanitation and hygiene and beyond. Right after the earthquakes, the Red Cross supported search and rescue efforts, administered first aid to the injured and distributed basic relief items to those displaced. To cater for the surge of medical needs on the ground, mobile health units have been mobilized to the affected areas. Besides, humanitarian service point has been established at border to assist returnees.

The Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has supported the vulnerable people in Afghanistan through different programs. Since 2021, HKRC has contributed around HK$ 5.9 million to support Afghan efforts to deal with its humanitarian crisis including earthquakes, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic. Three staff were deployed in 2023 to assist health as well as mental health and psychosocial support operations.

Your donation to Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis will allow the Red Cross to continuously provide support to the ongoing emergency response to those affected.