The people of Afghanistan need Our support
Recent days and weeks have seen the rapid collapse of the Afghan military and the resignation of its government which was established under the 2004 Constitution.
The Taliban has control after nearly two decades of conflict, and countries, including Australia, is withdrawing its citizens and those it has obligations to.
In 2020, for the fifth year in a row, Afghanistan was ranked in the top five countries globally with the highest risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster. This latest wave of violence is another blow for Afghans, who have suffered more than 40 years of conflict, natural disasters, chronic poverty and food insecurity. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed Afghanistan’s health system.
Humanitarian organisations which have been working in Afghanistan for years have ramped up their essential work in-country and around the world – including fundraising to support their work, and advocacy to raise awareness of the social consequences facing the community, especially the safety and wellbeing of women and children as well as human rights activists.
We have compiled a list of a range of organisations supporting the people of Afghanistan. It is not exhaustive, but they are organisations that have been funded by trusts managed by Equity Trustees or are known to us. We invite you to undertake your own research to determine if their purpose and initiatives are aligned with your personal values, and your giving.
We have focused on those organisations that have DGR1 endorsement but there are also many worthy organisations which you can donate to but do not attract a tax deduction.
Afghanistan-specific appeals
Australian Red Cross
When disasters strike, Red Cross are on the ground and on the phones. They help people find shelter, find support and find their loved ones. Red Cross has been in Afghanistan providing life-saving support for over 30 years. Right now, their teams are providing medical and healthcare, vital humanitarian aid and reconnecting families.
Emergency Action Alliance
Made up of 16 Australian-based member charities who use their reach and resources to save lives around the world. These organisations are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. EAA members fund the running costs, and the Alliance gives them back the money raised in appeals to carry out their vital work.
Give2Asia Australia
An international nonprofit that serves as a strategic partner and ally working on the ground in more than 23 countries across the Asia Pacific. Their role is to strengthen the work of local organisations and mobilize support through philanthropic giving. They offer a tax-friendly pathway to support charitable causes across Asia. Give2Asia is supporting local partner Afghanaid to deliver lifesaving assistance and development projects, specifically emergency assistance to families who have fled their homes or lost their livelihoods in the conflict.
Human Appeal Australia
Aims to strengthen humanity’s fight against poverty and social injustice, through the provision of immediate relief and establishment of self-sustaining development programs. HAA is currently working with field partners to provide food parcels, house essentials and shelter to thousands of displaced families who are homeless.
Islamic Relief Australia
Islamic Relief Australia works as a member of the Islamic Relief global family to provide life-saving emergency relief when disasters, crises and conflicts occur. They help poor and vulnerable people access food, shelter and basic services, including water and sanitation, and healthcare. Their initial response to the crisis will focus on Kabul, Balkh and Nangarhar as areas in which needs are particularly great.
MAA International
Providing aid since 1989, MAA help those affected by natural and manmade calamities worldwide. MAA are providing essentials like food packs, temporary shelter and blankets to help displaced Afghans survive this difficult situation.
Médecins Sans Frontières
An independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters.
Sadaqa Welfare Fund
An Islamic relief organisation delivering aid to Muslims around the world. Their main focus is to empower the needy by working in the most vulnerable locations. The current appeal will allow their teams in Afghanistan to deliver emergency aid to families, widows and orphans.
Women and children
Hagar
Founded in 1994, Hagar is an internationally renowned leader in recovery services for survivors of human trafficking, slavery and abuse. They began operations in Afghanistan in 2008 to support women and children facing the worst forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking.
Australia for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency)
Australia for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner in Australia, raising awareness and funds to support UNHCR’s global emergency response to humanitarian crises. 80% of displaced people in Afghanistan are women and children. UNHCR is committed to stay and deliver.
ActionAid Australia
A women’s rights organisation, partnering with local women’s organisations in 45 countries around the world and support them to take action and lead change for gender equality and social justice. Working in Afghanistan since 2002, ActionAid is preparing to provide urgent relief which includes distributing food and essential items such as blankets and hygiene kits, including in Kabul, where thousands of people have arrived over the past week.
Afghan Australian Development Organisation
Working in Afghanistan since 2002, helping create opportunities for people to achieve their own priorities: earning an income, providing for their families and contributing to their communities. Their flagship programs train women and girls in literacy, sewing, food production and science teacher education.
Australia for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency)
Australia for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner in Australia, raising awareness and funds to support UNHCR’s global emergency response to humanitarian crises. 80% of displaced people in Afghanistan are women and children. UNHCR is committed to stay and deliver.
CARE Australia
Works around the globe to save lives and defeat poverty, putting women and girls at the heart of their work to end worldwide poverty. Working in Afghanistan since 1961, CARE will be providing financial assistance to displaced households as well as hygiene kits to prevent further risks of COVID-19 transmission. The focus will be on immediate as well as longer term humanitarian assistance.
indigo foundation
Partnering with local community partners around the world to empower women and girls, improve education and health outcomes and defend human rights.
Mahboba’s Promise
Founded by an Afghan refugee and now an Australian citizen, this organisation helps disadvantaged women and children in Afghanistan, especially orphans and widows. They are on the ground and providing emergency shelter, cooking and hygiene essentials to displaced families that have set up camp close to Maboba’s Promise’s orphanage in Kabul.
Save the Children
An independent organisation for children, their vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.
Support Association for the Women of Afghanistan, SAWA-Australia (SA)
Supporting projects dedicated to the advancement of the rights of Afghanistan’s women in all areas, including orphanages, schools, adult education, health services and income generation.
UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF has been in Afghanistan for 65 years and their teams are working to reach children and families across Afghanistan with life-saving assistance – therapeutic food, water and hygiene kits and provision of supports to health centres.
World Vision
Walking alongside vulnerable communities to alleviate poverty, build resilience and tackle injustice. World Vision equip communities to build on their successes and, when they're ready, independently continue the life-changing work they've started together. They work to address child poverty in many areas of need including health, education, clean water, livelihoods and child protection. The funds donated to the emergency appeal will support the emergency response and rehabilitation activities in the affected areas.
Advocacy
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Founded in 2001, ASRC is Australia’s largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. Their programs support and empower people seeking asylum to maximise their own physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Refugee Advice & Casework Services (RACS)
Provide critical free legal advice, assistance and representation, for financially disadvantaged and vulnerable people seeking asylum in Australia.
Refugee Council of Australia
Advocates of issues relating to refugee protection at both a national and international level.
Refugee Legal
Refugee Legal provides substantial legal advice and casework service for asylum seekers, refugees and disadvantaged migrants in the community and in immigration detention in Victoria and across Australia.
If you’re interested in finding out more about structured giving, how it’s different to making a donation and whether it’s for you and your family, you can find out more here.