In regions Afghanistan and Asia and in groups Afghanistan and Asia

Afghanistan

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2022-06 Factsheet - Afghanistan

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Location: Paktika Province Photo Credit: Inamullah Gohar/Regional Coordinator/IOM

Highlights

Afghanistan is descending into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Amidst the backdrop of an already dire situation following 40 years of war, economic decline, price increases, and rising poverty.

On 22 June, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan, leading to wide-scale destruction across already vulnerable districts in Paktika and Khost provinces. In addition to loss of life and devastating injury, the earthquake has resulted in the destruction of critical infrastructure including homes, health facilities, schools, and water networks leaving thousands vulnerable to further harm.

NFI

Shelter

Coverage against targets

Need analysis

Following the record displacement of nearly 700,000 people in 2021, some 9.2 million IDPs and returnees (as per IOM-led DTM Report) remain in some form of displacement and in need of support to return where possible. Due to their uprooting and significant displacement to urban areas, recent IDPs tend to reside in poorly constructed shelter and face disproportionate shelter. Recent assessments indicate that 53% of IDP households reported shelter as one of the top three priority needs. 85 per cent of IDP households reported at least one of these shelter issues; leaks during heavy rain, lack of insulation, needing shelter repairs and upgrades. The recent earthquake in Khost and Paktika has also caused urgent shelters, NFIs and Winterization needs for 66,000 people to date, Assessment are ongoing and this number continues to increase.

Non-Food Items: 44 per cent of people reported to need essential household items. With reduction in conflict the needs for NFI will reduce and this indicator is expected to improve going into 2022

Shelter repairs/Upgrade: The conflict has taken a severe toll in terms of damage to shelters – In the Mid-Year whole of Afghanistan Assessment (WoAA) 2022 , 56% of households reported partial damage, 18% reported significant damage, and 2% reported that their shelters were fully destroyed. Considering the high cost of shelter repairs, and the already negative net income of households, reconstruction comes at a high cost that may not be affordable for most. Most Afghan household must make choices between meeting basic needs and repairing their shelters and are unable to sustain any major shock that severely damaged or destroyed their shelter.

So far more than 9,000 homes have been assessed as damaged or destroyed in the earthquake affected areas in Khost and Paktika provinces. It is estimated that at least 70% of the houses in the high impact areas (MMI V+) have been damaged or destroyed, leaving many without shelter and sleeping in the open and prone to weather, health, protection and other hazards.

Winterization: Each year, freezing winter temperatures, especially in high altitude locations drive the need for provision of life saving winter assistance for most affected persons whose shelters do not protect against the cold and who do not have the financial capability to purchase fuel and heaters to supplement their heating requirements. The lack of warm clothing, insulation, heating heightens the risk of respiratory infections, hypothermia and preventable mortality among children and the elderly are prevalent in these areas. The Mid-Year Whole of Afghanistan Assessment (WoAA) 2022 findings indicate winterization needs were widespread; 77% of households reported reliance on inadequate heating sources and 42% of households reported having less than one blanket per household member.. Economic decline, price increases, and rising poverty means this need will remain high and the trend of Households requiring assistance to cope with the winter season. This is while the Earthquake, floods and sporadic conflict displacements put more risk and create more vulnerability during the cold season.

Response

Out of the overall target of 1.9 million people targeted for 2022, 42 Cluster partners in 2022 assisted 1,361,686 people with shelter, NFI and winterization support.

From the total number of people reached:

1. 29,556 people were provided with emergency shelter assistance including rental support,

2. 304,728 people received basic household items (standard NFI packages) and

3. 34,343 people received support to reconstruct or repair their homes.

4. 990,382 vulnerable individuals received heating/ fuel, blankets, and clothes to mitigate protection, health and other risks associated with harsh winter conditions.

5. 2,677 people received support to construct transitional and durable shelter 

Gaps / challenges

1. Limited funding for shelter responses: Out of $374 m funding requirement for 2022, only $85 m (22%) has been received. Failure to address these needs would keep hundreds of vulnerable households in inadequate and often overcrowded shelters, with severe implications for their health, protection, socio-economic situation, and personal security - especially for children, the elderly, disabled people, women and girls. These households also continue to require annual winterization support.

2. Increase in the cost of items, market prices for NFIs, warehouse rents and transportation costs

3. banking system is still not fully functional, and partners cannot utilize banking system services for the cash assistance.