Afghanistan

Members of vulnerable communities, such as these children, benefit from USAID humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan

Patricia Hampton/USAID

Since 2002, frequent natural disasters and conflict have displaced populations and generated significant humanitarian needs throughout Afghanistan. Recurring natural disasters in Afghanistan, including drought, floods, landslides, earthquakes, and avalanches, affect an average of 400,000 Afghans annually. In recent years, drought has been the most frequent natural disaster in Afghanistan; since 2000, the country has experienced eight droughts resulting in diminished agricultural production. Between January and June 2012, natural disasters—primarily flooding, avalanches, and extreme winter conditions—killed 436 people, affected more than 246,000 others, and damaged or destroyed nearly 27,000 homes throughout the country. In addition, repeated and protracted displacement places pressure on host communities’ limited resources, resulting in instability and increased humanitarian needs.

U.S. Government Humanitarian Funding in FY 2012

*These figures are current as of August 13, 2012 and include funding for both disaster response and disaster risk reduction activities.

Latest Afghanistan Fact Sheet

USAID/DCHA Afghanistan Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #4 (249kb PDF) and map (589kb PDF)

Key Developments

Heavy seasonal rains and snowmelt—exacerbated by above-average snowfall during the 2011/2012 winter season—resulted in localized flooding in nearly all of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the spring of 2012. Part of USAID/OFDA’s strategy for responding to conflict and natural disasters, such as floods, in Afghanistan is to pre-position relief supplies to facilitate a rapid response to identified humanitarian needs. In line with this strategy, USAID/OFDA’s partners utilized pre-positioned emergency relief commodities strategically located throughout the country to respond to humanitarian needs resulting from the seasonal flooding.

Following media reports indicating that severe cold during the 2011/2012 winter killed 24 children in two informal settlements in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, USAID/OFDA partners and others distributed emergency supplies, including blankets, tarpaulins, clothing, stoves, and fuel, to all of the city’s informal settlements.

As of April 2012, U.N. agencies estimated that approximately 408,000 people, out of a total population of approximately 24.9 million, remained internally displaced as a result of conflict in Afghanistan. Among other support, USAID/OFDA aids conflict-affected populations, displaced individuals, and returnees through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities include the rehabilitation of water points, hygiene and sanitation education activities, and the provision of WASH supplies.