What we do

We have been working in Afghanistan since 1976, creating immediate and lasting change for children across the country. We collaborate closely with children, parents, teachers, village councils, religious leaders, government ministries, other non-governmental organisations, and key stakeholders. Our programs focus on education, health and nutrition, child protection, food security and livelihoods, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) as well as emergency response and humanitarian assistance. 

 

  • Our Belief: Every child deserves a future, and their lives, voices, and future potential should be fiercely protected at all costs. 

  • Our Vision: A world where every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. 

  • Our Mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. 

OUR PROGRAMMES

Children listening during a class

Ehsan*, 13 years old, lives in northern Afghanistan with his family of eight. In the village where they live, the community faces the danger of explosive remnants of war, causing serious risks to children and families during their daily movements and activities. Save the Children, with support of the Security and Rule of Law (NL–SROL) programme, provides mine risk awareness to the children of the village. These training courses inform children about the danger of mines and unknown objects. Beyond safety, the children received sessions about their rights, mathematics, the Holy Quran, and moral education, and also the classes encouraged personal aspirations. Ehsan* dreams of becoming a doctor to help people free of charge. Asmar Khwahany/Save the Children

EDUCATION
Doctor Examines Bilal*, 2.5 Years, at the Save the Children Clinic

A doctor performs a check‑up on Bilal*, a 2.5‑year‑old, receiving treatment for malnutrition at the Save the Children clinic. The clinic provides essential medical care, nutrition support, and guidance on safe feeding and clean water practices services that have helped improve Bilal’s health and recovery. Asmar Khwahany/Save the Children

HEALTH
Zia*, 8 months, receiving Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) at Save the Children Static Health Facility in Southern Afghanistan

Zia*, 8 months old, who has Severe Acute Malnutrition , is being fed Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and is on the road to recovery. He was initially very weak but is improving steadily after being admitted to the Save the Children static health facility for Severe Acute Malnutrition treatment. Fahim Mayar / Save the Children

NUTRITION
Portrait photography of Ehsan* 13 outside the classroom

Ehsan*, 13 years old, lives in northern Afghanistan with his family of eight. In the village where they live, the community faces the danger of explosive remnants of war, causing serious risks to children and families during their daily movements and activities. Save the Children, with support of the Security and Rule of Law (NL–SROL) programme, provides mine risk awareness to the children of the village. These training courses inform children about the danger of mines and unknown objects. Beyond safety, the children received sessions about their rights, mathematics, the Holy Quran, and moral education, and also the classes encouraged personal aspirations. Ehsan* dreams of becoming a doctor to help people free of charge. Asmar Khwahany/Save the Children

CHILD PROTECTION
Fahim* (12) helps his mother Shafiqa* (31) to harvest produce from their farm in Afghanistan

Fahim* (12) helps his mother Shafiqa* (31) to harvest produce from their farm in Afghanistan. Sacha Myers / Save the Children

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS
Farid* with his Child Mohamad*

Dr. Naser* is working with a Save the Children Mobile Health Team in Samangan province after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Northern Afghanistan. The earthquake killed at least 27 people and injured nearly 1000, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The team, including doctors, midwife, and hygiene and psychosocial staff, are providing medical care, hygiene awareness, and psychosocial support. With winter approaching, urgent assistance is needed for shelter, food, water, and medicines. Dr. Naser* is caling on humanitarian organisations and donors to provide immediate help. Atabek Khadim/Save the Children

SHELTER/NFIs - HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Maria*, 12, washes her hands in front of a Temporary Learning Space (TLS) tent established by Save the Children

Maria*, 12, lives in eastern Afghanistan. Her home and school were damaged in an earthquake that struck her area six months ago. She has seven brothers and one sister. Despite all challenges, Maria* dreams of becoming a doctor so she can help people wherever they are in need. Before the earthquake, Maria* attended her village school, which had no buildings, classes were held under the trees. During rain or snow, she could not go to school, and if bad weather lasted for a week, she would miss her lessons entirely. Her home was located on a mountain peak, making the journey to school dangerous. In fact, one of her classmates broke both legs on the way to school, highlighting the risks children face in her village. After the earthquake, Maria* moved to a camp away from her village, where Save the Children established a Temporary Learning Space (TLS) for children affected by the disaster. She joined this class and resumed her education. She also received winterization kits, including jumpers, coats, shoes, blankets, and cash support from Save the Children Afghanistan. Abdurahman Zaland/Save the Children

WASH
Zahir*, 50, with his sons outside the tent where they shelter after the earthquake in Kunar

Zahir*, a 50-year-old father from a mountainous village of Kunar, shares the impact of a recent earthquake that destroyed his livelihood, home, and family. As a farmer and livestock keeper, he lost everything, including three of his children, most of his animals, and all personal belongings. Save the Children provided Zahir* with 20,050 AFN (approximately $300), a hygiene kit (including a towel, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.), a house repair kit (including a hand cart, shovel, and other repair materials), and a kitchen kit (containing a bowl, bucket, basin, spoon, and other essential items). Fahim Mayar/Save the Children

CASH VOUCHER ASSISTANCE