General Situation
Afghanistan faces critical child protection challenges compounded by climate-driven shocks, return of 2.6 million Afghans, displacement and deepening economic instability with 21.9 million people in need, including 11.6 million children. Family separation, limited services, negative coping mechanisms and psychosocial distress require integrated child protection programming to create inclusive, safe, protective environments for children’s wellbeing and rights.
Our Response
Save the Children promotes high‑quality child protection prevention and response services through a child protection systems‑strengthening lens. Using family‑strengthening and community‑engagement approaches, we work with families and communities to promote safe, supportive homes and neighbourhoods, helping reduce the risk of children being separated from their families.
Community‑level social welfare workforce identifies child protection risks and addresses them through case management services provided by specialised caseworkers. We also integrate these support and services with other sectors such as MHPSS, education, livelihoods, health and nutrition, to contribute to improved child safety and well‑being.
Hunoon* has six children: Nahl*, 11 years old, Aadel*, 10, Jaabir*, 8, Saabria*, 6, Zabi*, 3, and Sara*, 7 months old. Baby Sara* is suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and is getting help in a Save the Children help facility in Sar-e-pul. Michal Przedlacki/ Save the Children