Battling food insecurity in three Afghan provinces

A lethal mix of consecutive droughts, a fragile healthcare system, lack of progress in rural and hard-to-reach areas, high poverty rates, four decades of conflict and a struggling economy have exacerbated humanitarian needs within the country.

Medair provided emergency aid to vulnerable communities in Uruzgan, Kandahar, and Daykundi provinces, focusing on:

• Delivering emergency nutrition treatments
• Screening and treating children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers for malnutrition and related illnesses.
• Improving access to essential health services, including maternal, reproductive and mental health services and medicines.
• Training community health volunteers
• Providing families with cash assistance and hygiene kits
• Promoting community awareness of child nutrition, hygiene and health practices such as exclusive breastfeeding and handwashing
• Constructing and rehabilitating water points, providing WASH services at health centres and implementing disaster risk reduction training and structures

Medair emphasised sustainability by working with local leaders, building local capacity, and adapting to challenges to ensure continued access to essential services.