The people of Afghanistan are facing a crisis of catastrophic proportions. 22 million face acute hunger; over eight million are on the brink of famine. Lives are already being lost. With snow falling in Kabul and the cold about to set in to block off supply routes, aid workers say there is an urgency to save lives. 

Leading aid workers today sounded the alarm to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan and said there was a ‘small window of opportunity’ to respond before the freezing winter sets in. Conflict and economic collapse, coupled with the worst drought in 27 years and the Covid-19 pandemic, have brought Afghanistan to a tipping point. 

DEC charities provided a lifeline to people in Afghanistan, after drought and economic collapse left millions hungry. This appeal is now closed and all funds have been spent.

Working with media and corporate partners is central to how the DEC runs appeals and maximises funds raised for people affected by disasters.

Hunger is rising in Yemen and Covid related deaths have escalated. The future looks very bad, with Covid, or without Covid, writes Mohammed Basha, Food Security and Livelihood Leader, Oxfam Yemen.