Asia

Afghanistan

Health
Nutrition
Water, sanitation & hygiene

1979

mission start date

560

national staff

expatriate staff

690 483

people supported in 2025

21.9 million

people in need

Over 5 million

Displaced persons or refugees

1979

mission start date

560

national staff

expatriate staff

690 483

people supported in 2025

21.9 million

people in need

Over 5 million

Displaced persons or refugees

Context

Dr Gul mohammad photo, afghanistan 2026 — When roads are blocked, innovation delivers. In Kunar Province, PUI is using donkeys to transport vital humanitarian aid to cut-off communities, thanks to funding from ECHO. Reaching the unreachable areas in Eearhquake crsis. (Photo taken by Dr Gul mohammad from EQ affected areas Kunar province.

Afghanistan is a country with one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. According to the HNRP 2026, 21.9 million Afghans have been identified in need of humanitarian assistance, of which the 17.5 million are prioritized as most needy. Flood, drought, earthquake, food insecurity, lack of access to health services, extremely cold winter, migration and displacement, in adequate water and sanitation drive the overall figure of people in need (PiN). 14.4 million people do not have access to health services, 17.4 million people remains food insecure, 3.7 million children under the age of five years are acutely malnourished, 15.9 million people need WASH assistance, 7.5 million need nutrition treatment. Political developments in Iran and Pakistan add to the risk of a renewed returnee crisis. More than 2.61 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2025 alone, placing significant pressure on host communities, basic services and livelihoods. The protection situation remains extremely severe, with women, especially those of reproductive age, children, and young people facing disproportionate risks. The PVPV law continued to have ramifications for humanitarian operations. 

Our approach
Description of the mission

The Afghanistan mission is a historic mission of Première Urgence Internationale, as it has been ongoing since 1979 as the organization’s first mission supporting the people in Afghanistan affected by conflict. For the last 46 years, PUI has been contributing to the improvement of access to essential healthcare services to reduce mortality and morbidity. PUI facilitates access to health services through a combination of mobile clinics and fixed health facilities and by offering services through a holistic approach by integrating Health, SRHR, Nutrition, MHPSS and WASH programming, and in coordination with the public healthcare system in Afghanistan. PUI is active in 9 provinces including : Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan and Nangarhar in eastern region; Paktiya, Paktika and Ghazni in southeastern region and Kabul and Parwan in central region. Currently PUI is implementing 4 projects with an overall portfolio value of 9 M Euro funded by ECHO, CDCS, SIDA and UNOCHA, hiring 560 national and 12 expatriate staff.

Première Urgence Internationale
in action

PUI works to address immense needs of the Afghan population, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged including children, women and disadvantaged ethnic groups working in hard-to-reach areas. In 2025, PUI reached 690 483 people (60% of PUI’s patients were women) with its integrated health, nutrition, WaSH and Mental health and Psychosocial services. PUI operates at the junction of Health, Nutrition and WaSH sectors using an integrated approach where:

In the Health Sector, PUI operates in fixed health facilities and mobile health and nutrition teams where PUI recruits medical and non-medical staff, supply medical and non-medical equipment and items and provide technical support for health facility staff to do outpatient counselling for communicable and non-communicable disease including immunization for children under 2 and women of child bearing age, SSRH and mental health care and referral services.
In the Nutrition sector, PUI Provides nutrition assessment, counselling, treatment, support and referral services for children under 5 and PLW in the health facilities.

In the WaSH sector, PUI works both facilities based and community-based activities including construction and restoration of water supply and waste management systems, removal of debris in leaving areas and promotion

A simple cash incentive overcomes vast distances, enabling mothers like Fatima in Sahak village to receive life-saving skilled birth care. (Photo taken by Muhamadullah Haidri)

A hygiene promoter from our team conducts a vital health education session for community members at the Bagrami Comprehensive Health Center (CHC) in Kabul Afghanistan. (Photo: Esmatullah Habiban)

medical doctor torkham border afghanistan

A male medical doctor prescribes medication for a patient at the Torkham border in Nangarhar province, providing essential care to returnees. (Photo: Esmatullah Habiban)

A PU-AMI emergency response team provides critical support to affected communities in the earliest days following the earthquake in Nangarhar province. (Photo: Esmatullah Habiban)

Medicine distribution in Laghman Province (Photo: Esmatullah Habiban).

This shipment, photographed upon arrival at Kabul International Airport, was facilitated by the ECHO air bridge service and funded by CDCS. These supplies are essential for continuing our life-saving operations in Afghanistan. (Photo credit: Waliullah, PUI Logistician, Kabul)

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) consultation and awareness session (photo: Esmatullah Habiban)

health promotion pakita afghanistan 2026

Health education and prevention session in Paktika Province, Southeastern Afghanistan, 2026 (photo: Esmatullah Habiban)

Person with reduced mobility, Paktia Province (Southeastern Afghanistan), photo taken by Esmatullah Habiban

Drinking water storage tank in Parwan Province (Central Afghanistan), 2026, photo taken by Esmatullah Habiban

Medical consultation at a mobile clinic, photo taken by Esmatullah Habiban

Sanjeev KUMAR

Country Director for the Afghanistan Mission © Première Urgence Internationale

““At this challenging time in Afghanistan, PUI remains fully committed to standing alongside the Afghan people. Despite the difficult circumstances, our teams continue to deliver essential health, nutrition, WASH, protection, and livelihoods services across the country. Guided by the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, and impartiality, we work tirelessly to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. Our mission is not only to provide aid but also to restore dignity, hope, and resilience for communities facing uncertainty every day””