Amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, humanitarian leaders are sounding the alarm for a radical rethink in approaches to aid. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Afghan Red Crescent Society are leading the charge, urging for immediate action to address the root causes of the crisis.
Mawlawi Mutiul Haq Khales, Acting President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, emphasized the urgent need for sustainable solutions, stating, “Communities are lurching from crisis to crisis at a time when their resilience is sub-zero and their coping mechanisms are exhausted.”
The call for action comes ahead of a crucial partnership meeting hosted in Doha, Qatar, by the Afghan Red Crescent Society, in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent Society and attended by numerous national societies from around the world.
Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, underscored the importance of investing in Afghan institutions like the Afghan Red Crescent, highlighting their enduring role in the country’s humanitarian landscape. Matheou stressed the need for a shift towards resilience-building and economic independence, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“With limited access to education and jobs, we need a focus on youth, on professional and vocational training, and other learning opportunities—interventions designed to boost confidence and give hope,” Matheou reiterated.
As the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan reaches a critical juncture, humanitarian leaders are calling for a concerted effort to address the interconnected challenges facing the country’s population. Without immediate action, the future appears increasingly bleak for millions of Afghans grappling with the fallout of conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
