Winterization Aid for Afghan communities
About
Afghanistan is a country prone to harsh weather conditions. Severely cold winters with extremely low temperatures and heavy snowfall impact thousands of people, especially in rural areas where communities already suffer from poverty, internal displacement and lack of access to basic necessities. Action for Development has been providing emergency assistance to communities in need across Afghanistan since 2012.
Need
Afghanistan in prone to landslides, flooding, heavy snowfall and low temperatures during the winter months. Night-time temperatures sometimes drop to -9 C (15 F). Harsh weather conditions particularly impact the most vulnerable communities of the country, living in rural and inaccessible areas, in extreme poverty and lacking access to basic needs.
Long term impact
Every year, the winterization campaign helps communities survive the extreme weather months, improving living conditions and reducing illness and mortality rates. The heaters distributed are locally manufactured, therefore also supporting local businesses; a mobile health service also takes place in Kabul during the winter months in order to provide basic health care to those in need. Children at AfD's schools in Kabul also receive basic items (warm clothes and shoes) as part of the campaign.
About the Organization
Action for Development assists communities in the achievement of their own development goals. In other words, it aims at ensuring a certain relief for the Afghan population through development programs. Our efforts are spent in ways that maximize the impact of any of our actions and we remain fully accountable to communities where our programs take place. The sustainability of any development program lies within the communities' acceptance of the change. For our action to produce lasting results, communities have to guide the use of resources and learn the managerial and technical skills to do so. This is why our approach is fundamentally community-based. We seek to provide fractured, new, or changing communities with opportunities to work together for a common purpose and the ability to undertake future endeavors of their own. Participation transforms communities into effective teams. Community involvement in project implementation, and interaction with development organizations leaves them more enabled, ensuring that subsequent programs have lasting effects. Community familiarity with the programs leaves them with expectations. These expectations drive the performance of future implementers and encourage them to engage in a process of learning. Thus the dynamics of development change. AfD also emphasizes collaboration with vertical programs and asks of other organizations what we ask of our team members - "How can we make sure that a wide range of health services are provided to people?" AfD believes that yields from separate but related development efforts are maximized through the integration and harmonization of programs. Today's efforts and resources should be used to enhance opportunities for a healthy and prosperous life. AfD is committed to helping Afghan communities according to their own development goals and to explore creative avenues to give Afghanistan Solutions for a Brighter Future.
GlobalGiving Categories:
- Disaster Response
- Physical Health
- Safe Housing
Total Goal
Remaining Goal
What is a Project?
Domestic and international programs and services housed within organizations, addressing specific needs of community groups.