Islamic Relief’s Ramadan distributions are bringing hope to vulnerable families in Afghanistan as the hunger crisis in the country deepens.

Our teams are providing cash assistance to 5,000 families in the impoverished provinces of Ghor and Herat, easing the burden they face during the holy month.

This year’s Ramadan distribution comes as the World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm on the worsening food crisis in Afghanistan, announcing that it can only feed half of the millions of hungry Afghans due to drastic cuts in international aid.

Inside a concrete parameter wall in Sultan Abad village, Herat province, Islamic Relief staff are distributing cash assistance. People stand in queues that stretch into the distance, each clutching a token card that grants them access to the main gate. The air is thick with anticipation as old, greasy motorbikes and mini-trucks line the dirt roadside, their drivers shouting for passengers amid the bustle.

Among the crowd, men and women of all ages, including the elderly, await their moment of hope. While Islamic Relief gives priority to the most vulnerable families, many more are in desperate need and come to distributions in the hopes of securing food. The cold air bites at their skin, and a chilly wind swirls around, carrying fine tan dust that settles uncomfortably on the crowd, adding to the mix of anxiety and resilience in this desperate search for aid.

Spreading hope and love

Islamic Relief has been dedicated to easing families’ burdens by distributing food packages during the blessed month of Ramadan in Afghanistan since 1992. Each year, this initiative brings a sense of hope and relief to countless families in need.

However, this Ramadan presents a unique challenge. The recent decision by the United States government to freeze huge amounts of vital humanitarian funding, including funding for WFP, has intensified the struggles faced by families in Afghanistan, exacerbating an already dire situation.

The funding freeze has led to a significant depreciation of the local Afghani currency, which has sent shockwaves through the market. With Afghanistan heavily reliant on imported food staples, the rising costs of essential items are hitting families hard. The economic impact has been profound, making it increasingly difficult for communities to access the resources they need to celebrate Ramadan with traditional meals and joy.

In response to these pressing challenges, Islamic Relief is stepping in with a lifeline. This year, we are distributing cash assistance of 4,900 Afs (approx. £55) to 5,000 families across 2 of the most impoverished provinces: Ghor and Herat. This cash initiative empowers families by allowing them the flexibility to choose their preferred food and refreshments to break their fast.

Among these are the families of Shila and Taher, who share their stories here.

‘I had no idea this month could hold such joy until you walked through our door’

Shila, a mother of 9, juggles the challenges of making ends meet while caring for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for a heart condition. She strives to fill the gap left by her ill husband by taking casual jobs such as cleaning homes for families. 

The unexpected happened 1 day, however: a team from Islamic Relief visited her home. Caught off guard but hopeful, Shila shared her struggles and her family’s needs. Little did she know that this encounter would establish a lifeline of support. 3 weeks later, Shila received a call that would put a smile on her face – Islamic Relief would provide her family with cash assistance.

Holding onto the funds she had been given, Shila felt overwhelming joy as she purchased essentials – rice, vegetable oil, wheat flour, dates, and dried fruit powder.

“I had no idea this month could hold such joy until you walked through our door,” she says.

“My family is relieved, and we’re praying for all the people who have sent us this assistance.”

‘I have always held deep faith in the blessings of Ramadan, but I was not sure in what form the blessing would arrive’

Taher, a father of 5, lives in the bustling village of Sultan Abad in Herat province, where the sounds of daily life mingle with the hopes and dreams of its inhabitants.

Determined to provide for his family, Taher works as a street vendor, selling bread and occasionally fruit. On a good month, Taher, who is in a wheelchair, could earn around 2,000 Afs (approx. £22). Unfortunately, this is far from enough to meet his family’s needs.

As Ramadan, a month filled with spiritual reflection and blessings, approached Taher grappled with uncertainty. “I have always held a deep faith in the blessings of Ramadan,” he says, “but I was not sure in what form the blessing would arrive.”

Hope appeared at his doorstep just a month before the holy month began. A team from Islamic Relief, accompanied by the village leader, visited his home. At that moment, Taher felt a shift in his heart.

“I am excited today because I don’t have to worry about food this month,” he says. “May Allah (SWT) bless your donors.” With the cash assistance he received, he could finally purchase essential supplies – rice, vegetable oil, flour, and beans for his family.

Islamic Relief is on the ground in Afghanistan, delivering cash assistance to help families ease their burdens during Ramadan, but this is just a drop in the ocean. The needs are immense amid the free-falling economy and dwindling aid. Our seasonal programmes provide a lifeline to vulnerable families like Shila’s and Taher’s, helping keep people well-fed at this important time of the year.

Please help us reach even more vulnerable people in Afghanistan and around the world during Ramadan and beyond. Donate now.