We received the following report from ALS Director Parwin Dost about the latest relief effort in the earthquake region:
On behalf of the ALS organization, I am pleased to share with you a brief report of our recent humanitarian mission to Kunar province – one of the regions severely affected by natural disasters and poverty. This journey was part of our continued commitment to support widows, orphans and families who have lost everything.
We departed from Kabul at 4 am and reached our destination – Sharak-e-Qaba, located in the mountainous Noor Gal district of of Kunar – around 12:00 noon. The root was long and challenging, with hours of travel on rough, unpaved, and mountainous roads, especially in the final stretch of the affected village. Despite the hardships, our determination to reach the people in need was greater.
Upon arrival, our team immediately engaged with local elders to ensure community coordination and transparency. We divided our staff into two teams – one led by female members who conducted surveys among widowed women, and the other team who engaged with male beneficiaries.
Cultural sensitivities made the work even more complex. Many women were uncomfortable having their photos taken, and in some cases, we were only able to document them after careful explanation and reassurance. Additionally, local officials strongly discouraged us from writing women’s names in the beneficiary lists due to traditional norms. Instead, they requested we use the names of deceased husbands, which was a challenge we respectfully navigated.
Despite all obstacles, we successfully distributed AFN 400,000 to 80 families, each receiving AFN 5,000. Many of these families are in the process of rebuilding their homes with limited resources. They told us that this timely support would help them buy windows, doors, or coal stoves to survive the coming winter.
What makes this mission even more touching is the stories of women who lost their husbands under the rubble of their collapsed homes. Left with young children, they now face life with unimaginable burdens. Our field team collected some of their voices, which we will share in separate personal letters and updates.
This mission was made possible with the generous support of our partners – especially from the NAZO German association – and the trust of kind-hearted donors like you. Your compassion reaches the most remote corners of Afghanistan, and for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
