Aid for Afghanistan must refocus on the population’s needs
As representatives of the Afghan government and the main donors to Afghanistan gather at the conference on the future of aid for Afghanistan in London on 4th December, Handicap International is calling for the international community not to forget the population of Afghanistan.
"We are calling on all donors to maintain a strong commitment focusing on the needs of the population in Afghanistan," said the Handicap International Head of Mission in the country, Nuria Beneitez. "It is essential that the population’s basic needs, such as access to health services, remain the highest priority in terms of the use of these funds."
"Should the donors prematurely disengage by reducing funding for the development and humanitarian programmes in place, the consequences would be catastrophic for the Afghan population," adds Nuria Beneitez. "It would reverse all the progress made so far and impact negatively on the most vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities, women and children, the victims of explosive remnants of war or landmines, and people living in conflict zones or in remote areas.”
Aid Effectiveness
Today 85% of the Afghan Public Budget comes from abroad. Reducing funding too quickly would create major concerns regarding the sustainability of the services available to the population. While we recognise that working in partnership with the authorities to build their capacities is crucial to ensure the harmonious development of the country, Handicap International nonetheless urges donors to maintain the plurality and flexibility of funding mechanisms for the work of NGOs, which fills the current gaps in service delivery, and to support the independent, neutral and impartial delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of people in crisis situations.
Health services, in particular physical rehabilitation
There are regular reports of difficulties for the population in accessing quality health services. The population also faces a widespread lack of security which results in greater needs but less access to services. This is particularly true for specialised health services, such as physical rehabilitation, for the following reasons:
Physical rehabilitation services are essential in conflict zones for civilians injured by explosive weapons or during crossfire, in order for them to properly recover from their injuries and regain mobility.
Furthermore, in Afghanistan, this sector is also almost entirely dependent on NGOs and the ICRC, which receive direct international funding and run most of the physical rehabilitation facilities throughout the country.
However, there is still a major shortage of services available, in particular at district level, in rural and insecure areas. In 12 out 34 provinces there are no orthopaedic centres or physiotherapy units at all.
Handicap International therefore calls on the international community to ensure that health services include and provide appropriate care for vulnerable and marginalised groups, and are equally accessible to people living in remote and rural areas, as well as those in conflict zones.
Handicap International in Afghanistan
Handicap International has been working alongside the Afghan population since the mid-1980s, in the field of disability. Handicap International provides rehabilitation services in the provinces of Herat and Kandahar to people with disabilities, including to victims of the conflict, in particular the survivors of anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war. In 2013, the organisation treated more than 13,000 people. In the Helmand and Kandahar provinces, Handicap International has held risk education sessions to prevent death and injuries from mines and explosive remnants of war involving more than 50,000 participants. Furthermore, Handicap International works to improve the socio-economic inclusion of people with disabilities across the country through professional training, personalised social support, and advocacy and awareness-raising on the rights of people with disabilities.
Handicap International is a member of ACBAR, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghanistan, which brings together the NGOs working in the country and is participating in the ongoing international campaign “Do not forget Afghanistan” on social media under the hashtag #DontForgetAfghanistan
Press contact
Tom Shelton
Email: tom.shelton@hi-uk.org
Mobile: 44 (0)7508 810 520
Tel: 44 (0)870 774 3737
www.handicap-international.org.uk
www.twitter.com/hi_uk
About Handicap International
Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Handicap International is an international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations in over 60 countries worldwide, we take action and raise awareness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
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