Asia

Afghanistan

1979
mission start date
910
national staff
13
expatriate staff
901 304
people supported
1979
mission start date
910
national staff
13
expatriate staff
901 304
people supported

Context

©Première Urgence Internationale

After more than 40 years of conflict, Afghanistan remains affected by one of the most complex crises in the world, characterized by both urgent and chronic needs. In 2023, Afghanistan faced profound healthcare challenges, with over 60% of the population lacking adequate medical services. Water scarcity and sanitation issues affected approximately 14 million people, who lacked access to safe drinking water and contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases. The country also grappled with food insecurity, with around 3.6 million people in an urgent status. Amidst these crises, Afghanistan witnessed an influx of 550,000 forced returnees from Pakistan from October 2023, which strained an already fragile situation. Restrictive policies continued to impede women’s access to essential services, including barriers to Afghan women staff participation. Despite a decrease in active conflict, Afghanistan remains in a state of emergency, with an urgent need for increased mental health and psychosocial support.

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 45 years, our team has been contributing to the improvement of access to essential healthcare services to combat mortality and morbidity rates in various districts of the country. In close coordination with the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, Public Nutrition Directorate and Health Cluster at both national and regional levels, Première Urgence Internationale has built a strong knowledge of the context. Our almost 1000 employees ensure strong relationships with the community, especially women groups and Community Health Shuras, to encourage acceptance and meet the needs of the most vulnerable people. The mission has a Coordination office in Kabul and regional offices in Jalalabad, Paktia, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Ghazni.

Première Urgence Internationale
in action

In a country prone to multiple crises, whether political or natural disasters or even population displacements, our mobile emergency teams remain ready to respond. Première Urgence Internationale’s multi-faceted approach in Afghanistan allows teams to provide services in health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene for up to two million people.

Through static and mobile healthcare activities, teams are able to provide outpatient consultations for communicable and non-communicable diseases, including immunization for children under 2 and women of childbearing age, in under-served and hard-to-reach areas of Afghanistan. Despite the challenges that women face in accessing healthcare, 60% of PUI’s patients were women. Maternal and child health activities allowed to support 63,000 pregnant women, and to record over 2,000 safe births.

Première Urgence Internationale also support malnourished children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women with severe acute malnutrition. Teams screen thousands of children every year and provide integrated nutrition programs, including cash assistance for transportation to patients so they may reach hospitals for adequate treatment.

Water sanitation and hygiene activities included hygiene promotion sessions within facilities and within communities, but also directly supplying water in communities with high rates of waterborne diseases.

©Première Urgence Internationale

Faced with a humanitarian emergency, Première Urgence Internationale sends a plane full of medicines to Afghanistan ©Première Urgence Internationale

©Première Urgence Internationale

In Afghanistan, the daily struggle to obtain drinking water is a harsh reality for millions of people. Première Urgence Internationale / Oriane Zerah

©Première Urgence Internationale

Géraldine Derome

Head of Mission Afghanistan © Première Urgence Internationale

“Afghanistan is a demanding context that offers a lifetime experience within the humanitarian sector. Première Urgence Internationale’s mission in Afghanistan has very positive team dynamics focused on supporting each other, attentive to the needs of any individuals, and to make sure that we make a difference for the communities.”

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Our donors


ECHO (European Commission)

Centre de crise et de soutien (CDCS) du ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères

BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance)

AHF (Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund / UNOCHA)

WHI (Women’s Hope International)

SSRU! (Stand Speak Rise-Up to end rape as a weapon of war)

ECHO (European Commission)

Centre de crise et de soutien (CDCS) du ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères

BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance)

AHF (Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund / UNOCHA)

WHI (Women’s Hope International)

SSRU! (Stand Speak Rise-Up to end rape as a weapon of war)

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Your support enables us to have a positive impact on 5 million people located in crisis zones every year.

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