General Situation
Prolonged insecurity, poverty, displacement, and natural disasters have severely limited access to essential services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas in Afghanistan. Although progress was made in the past through Basic Package of Health Services, funding constraints shortage of skilled health workers, and quality of health services remain a challenge.
Preventable disease, malnutrition, maternal and child mortality, and mental health conditions remain major public health concerns, compounded by food insecurity, poor water and sanitation and low health-seeking behaviour. Women children, returnees, and internally displaced populations are disproportionately affected.
Our Response
Save the Children has a long-standing presence in Afghanistan, in delivering life-saving health assistance across 10 provinces including Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Faryab, Balkh, Jawzjan, Sar-e- Pul, and Kandahar. We provide Health, Nutrition, Education in Emergencies, Protection, WASH, and integrated MHPSS services through direct implementation, mobile outreach, and community engagement.
Key interventions include Outpatient Department (OPD) consultations, Antenatal Care (ANC), Postnatal Care (PNC), essential newborn care, immunisation, and referrals for complicated cases, reaching over 1.4 million consultations. We prioritise hard-to-reach districts, displaced populations, and local health workers’ capacity building, closing critical service gaps in remote areas.
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