Next prime minister must act to save Afghans from hunger, says Christian Aid

Christian Aid is calling on the next prime minister to take urgent action to help Afghans survive increasingly desperate conditions in Afghanistan.

The charity has accused the UK government of "drift and delay" in its approach to Afghanistan and says it must act to prevent a humanitarian disaster. 

As the first anniversary of the withdrawal of US and Western forces approaches, conditions in the country are deteriorating with food and fuel prices soaring as a result of the war in Ukraine. 

Christian Aid is warning that the situation will only worsen as winter approaches. 

It is calling on the UK government to increase available funding by reversing the cuts in last year's aid budget back to 0.7% of GDP.

"We have no illusions about the Taliban rulers but the Afghan people cannot be abandoned to their fate," said Fionna Smyth, Head of Global Advocacy and Policy.  

"They did not vote for the Taliban and, even if the Taliban control the country, that must not stop us trying to help people make a living and giving them hope for a future free form hunger.

"Christian Aid is already delivering programmes to provide livelihoods and water and sanitation but no NGO can do the job of the Government. Conditions are becoming even more desperate with the price of food and fuel rising due the impact of the war in Ukraine. Those needs are going to grow as summer ends and we approach winter." 

Women and girls are being adversely affected by the crisis, Christian Aid warns, and especially those who have lost their husbands.

Quasi's husband was killed in a suicide bombing attack last year. She lives in Kabul where she faces a daily struggle to raise their seven children alone. Life is made harder by the Taliban's strict rules on the movement of women, which dictate that they cannot go to the market without a male chaperone.

"We don't have money to buy food every day. I and my children survive only with the little food aid that the village representative provides us," she said. 

Another mother and widow, 39-year-old Bibi, used to make money by selling dairy products from her cow but she was forced to sell it to pay off debts after her husband was killed by the Taliban. 

"I dream of having a safe living room for all of us. I will face all difficulties but I hope my children will have a brighter future and become educated. For myself, I would like to learn a new vocation so that I can work," she said. 

Pari's husband was killed on his way home during a clash between Taliban and government forces. In addition to her four daughters, she takes care of her deaf and blind mother. 

She says her "biggest dream" is the welfare of her children.

"I want them to have decent lives, eat enough food and never face my fate," she said. 

Christian Aid is calling on the UK government and its international allies to do more to help the Afghanistan economy get back on its feet and to advocate for the rights of women and girls. 

Smyth warned that women and girls in Afghanistan are "being erased from public life".

Subrata De, Afghanistan Country Manager, added, "The local authorities have demonstrated their priorities in the last 12 months by restricting women's movement and enforcing female dress codes rather than saving lives from hunger.

"But the international community also needs to reflect on the sanctions it has imposed - who are we ultimately punishing and at what cost to ordinary Afghans?"

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.