Kabul, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 4 August 2021– The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) urges greater international support for millions of people in Afghanistan who are suffering due to worsening drought, COVID-19 and armed conflict. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officially declared a drought on 22 June, indicating that 30 percent of country is exposed to severe drought, 50 percent to serious drought and another 20 percent to moderate drought. Afghanistan’s wheat crop will be reduced by nearly 2 million tonnes and more than 3 million livestock are at risk of death, according to the government. The drought declaration comes as COVID-19 is further worsening existing health and socio-economic hardships across the country while ongoing hostilities are displacing thousands, all left to rely on humanitarian assistance. Dr Nilab Mobarez, the Afghan Red Crescent Society Acting President, said: “We are seeing the devastating impacts of this drought on millions of people who are suffering from severe food and water shortages in most areas of Afghanistan. Food crops are depleted and withered in the fields, and many people have lost their incomes. “Afghan Red Crescent response teams are urgently delivering relief, including food and cash assistance, for thousands of drought-affected families across bone-dry provinces.” “Our network of branches in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan and volunteers in each district enable us to deliver humanitarian assistance even in hard-to-reach areas. Afghan Red Crescent is recognized and widely accepted by parties to the conflict because of its neutrality and impartiality, thus well-placed to reach communities which would otherwise be left behind.” The IFRC isappealing for 15 million Swiss francsto support the Afghan Red Crescent Society to deliver cash grants to buy food supplies, restore livelihoods and crops for 280,000 people in 13 of the provinces worst affected by drought. Necephor Mghendi, IFRC’s Head of Delegation for Afghanistan, said: “Climate disasters, COVID-19 and conflict are converging in a living nightmare for the people of Afghanistan. Millions are going without meals every day and in some parts water is running dry. This is one of the most severe droughts ever in Afghanistan. “Urgent international action is needed to support more than 18 million people who will need humanitarian support in Afghanistan this year due to this drought and food crisis, compounding impacts of record COVID-19 and many years of armed conflict. “We have learnt from previous drought interventions that we must also invest more in drought-resistant crops, protecting livelihoods and livestock.” For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: In Kuala Lumpur:Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, [email protected] In Geneva:Nathalie Perroud, +41 79 538 14 71,[email protected]

Afghanistan is experiencing the compounding effects of decades of conflict, severe drought, food insecurity, climate-related disasters, earthquakes, floods, displacement and gaps in health services. This revised Emergency Appeal seeks 90 million Swiss francs, increased from an initial 36 million Swiss francs in August 2021, to further scale up the Afghan Red Crescent Society's (ARCS) humanitarian response to multiple humanitarian crises in Afghanistan. Funds raised enable the IFRC to support the ARCS to deliver assistance and support to 1,000,000 people in all 34 provinces.

Kuala Lumpur, Kabul, Geneva, 7 September 2021 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for urgent action as millions of Afghans face colossal humanitarian needs wrought by a combination of crises: one of the country’s worst ever droughts, acute food shortages, a fractured health system and the devastation of COVID-19. Some 18 million Afghans – half the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance as severe drought compounds hardships caused by years of conflict and the pandemic. Without food or income, tens-of-thousands of families have left their homes, seeking food and shelter in urban areas where some are staying in relief camps. Dr Mohammad Nabi Burhan, Acting Secretary General of Afghan Red Crescent, said: “After living through decades of hardships, Afghans now face the ravages of a climate crisis, a global pandemic and internal displacement. Urgent international action is needed to support millions of people with the necessities of life through the coming months and Afghanistan’s harsh winter.” “Red Crescent teams are ramping up efforts across the country, providing emergency relief, cash grants and basic health care, but we know that more support is needed to enable families to plant crops, re-establish livelihoods and build a brighter future.” Afghan Red Crescent is providing support in some of the hardest hit provinces, including relief supplies to families suffering food shortages and loss of income. Red Crescent is also providing families who have lost their livelihoods due to the drought with cash grants to buy food supplies, to plant drought-resistant food crops and protect their livestock. Health clinics, including mobile health teams, operating across rural Afghanistan, are providing critical healthcare. As part of this ongoing support, the IFRC is scaling up its appeal to more than 36 million Swiss francs to support the Afghan Red Crescent to deliver emergency relief and recovery assistance to 560,000 people in 16 provinces worst affected by drought and compounding conflict-induced displacement. Necephor Mghendi, IFRC’s Head of Delegation for Afghanistan, said: “Severe drought, food insecurity, and a fragile health system struggling to stay afloat with devastating waves of COVID-19 have all been compounded by recent events and require urgent international action more than ever.” “It’s vital we look to the future and support the people of Afghanistan as they work hard to heal and recover after 40 years of conflict." “IFRC appeal funds will be used to help with sustainable water supplies, revitalising drought-resistant crops and diminished livestock, while supporting income generation for those most at risk, including women and the elderly.” For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: In Kuala Lumpur: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, [email protected] In Melbourne: Joe Cropp, +61 (0) 491 743 089, [email protected] In Geneva: Ann Vaessen, +41 79 405 77 50, [email protected]

Afghan Red Crescent volunteers and staff are still hard at work distributing food parcels, blankets, tarpaulins and other support to affected communities devastated by dramatic flooding across the country in March and April. The most recent distribution was in Hilmand province, where around 1,000 food parcels were brought to communities in need. Even before the floods, drought had left 6.3 million people in Afghanistan in desperate need of humanitarian aid and protection. Countless people are facing an uncertain and precarious future after three years of drought caused land degradation and desertification, lower agricultural production, economic hardship, hunger and loss of life. Some 287,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. To respond to continuing floods – and ever-growing humanitarian needs - IFRC scaled up its emergency appeal seeking 8 million Swiss francs to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society in providing humanitarian assistance to 675,000 people affected by flood and drought for 12 months. Our operation includes activities in shelter, health and care; water, sanitation and hygiene; livelihoods and basic needs, and disaster risk reduction. The humanitarian needs are increasing daily and therefore require a collective effort. However, the emergency appeal remains heavily under-funded.