The Humanitarian Community Appeals for $406 Million for Afghanistan in 2014

Kabul, 15 February 2014 - As part of the global appeal by the United Nations and its partners for almost USD $13 billion in funding in 2014, the humanitarian community in Afghanistan is seeking $406 million through the Common Humanitarian Action Plan to provide the most vulnerable people with essential, life-saving aid.

Despite more than a decade of international and government development efforts, from a humanitarian perspective Afghanistan remains a protracted complex emergency where five million people need lifesaving assistance. This does not include the many more millions who are suffering the effects of chronic poverty.

“Last year, significant achievements were made through the appeal” said the Afghan Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Mr. Wais Barmak. “For example, food assistance was delivered to 2.2 million Afghans, shelter and non-food items were provided to more than 140,000 displaced people, while 570,000 people received emergency water, sanitation and hygiene” he said.

2013 witnessed a devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. The number of civilians injured increased by 17 per cent, causing a rising demand for trauma care. “Fortunately the international community has seriously addressed the issue of trauma care” said Emanuele Nannini of the Emergency NGO. “The prioritisation of trauma care in the CHAP 2014 is commendable and will seriously help to mobilise adequate resources” he said.

At least 124,000 Afghans were driven away from their homes by the conflict, a 25 per cent increase from 2012. Overall, more than 630,000 are recorded as conflict displaced. Most parts of the country are highly vulnerable to new displacement caused by conflict and natural disasters.

In 2014, the resources requested to meet humanitarian needs is $406 million, which is 20 per cent less than in 2013. “The 2013 CHAP is now 80 per cent funded, which is very encouraging” said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Mr. Mark Bowden. “If donors simply repeat their contributions this year, then we could see an almost fully funded humanitarian appeal in 2014” he said.

For further information, please contact:
James St John Cox, Public Information Officer, OCHA Afghanistan, +93 79300 1132, stjohncox@un.org;

For more information about the CHAP, please see https://afg.humanitarianresponse.info/funding/commonhumanitarian- action-plan-chap