Supporting Afghan Refugees

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has led to chaos and a climate of fear across the country. Over half a million people (682,000) Afghans have been internally displaced in 2021, 80% of whom are women and children. This is in addition to the 2.9 million that were already internally displaced. The number of people forced to flee the country continues to rise, adding to the 2.2 million Afghan refugees worldwide.

Chronic, toxic stress as a result of violence can be traumatic affecting physical and mental health of communities that experience continuous conflict. The breakdown of protective networks like the extended families or local services make refugees, particularly children, vulnerable to the impacts of trauma, poor health, economic and life outcomes.

In Afghanistan, forty years of conflict means that Afghan people are dealing with cycles of trauma. International, state, humanitarian and local agencies are struggling to provide adequate psychosocial support to help those affected in the aftermath of their journeys from conflict, in transition or when integrating into their host countries.

We are responding by supporting organisations working with Afghan communities to set up safe, healing space to help Afghan families heal from the trauma of this long, chronic conflict. Our partner organisation are delivering psychosocial care in Italy, Albania, Italy, Afghanistan and Pakistan.