Abrar*, a 75-year-old father who lives in northern Afghanistan, faces daily challenges as he struggles to provide for his family. Once a proud shoemaker, earning a meagre wage of 50 to 100 AFN (1.40USD) per day, Abrar has had to hang up his tools due to his age and deteriorating health. Now, he lives with his wife and five younger children in a modest home, relying almost entirely on the goodwill of neighbours. 

Abrar* and his wife Karima*, 40, have eight children in total—four sons and four daughters. Their eldest daughters are married, but the youngest ones still reside at home. Fifteen-year-old Amir* is a student studying in grade 10 at a boarding school in a nearby city, while Shabir*, 8, is in grade 3, and Farid*, 5, has just started in grade 1. Shogofa*, a six-year-old, attends grade 2 at a local public school, and the youngest member of the family, Shahram*, is just three years old. 

Karima*, a housewife who completed her education up to grade 10 in Iran before marrying Abrar*. She dreams of seeing her children become educated, successful, and contributing members of society, especially her young daughter Shogofa*. “My elder daughters were not able to continue their education,” she laments. “But I want Shogofa to become an educated woman in the future, someone with her own income and independence.” 

The family’s life took a dramatic turn when Abrar* was no longer able to work. With his earnings gone, the family could afford just one basic meal a day, consisting of boiled rice or dry bread. Their hardship was worsened by severe drought conditions that devastated their community, pushing many families to the brink. The onset of a harsh winter, without snowfall or rain to ease the arid conditions, meant the family couldn’t even keep their home warm. Without firewood or fuel, they were forced to endure the biting cold with little respite. 

Abrar’s* concern for his family’s welfare deepened. “Despite the absence of snowfall or rain, the cold weather made it incredibly difficult for us to have enough food or a warm living space” he recalls. His sense of helplessness was palpable until, about a month ago, the community leaders recommended Abrar’s* family for Save the Children’s multipurpose cash assistance programme. 

After assessment of their circumstances, Save the Children provided Abrar with 10,000 AFN (USD140) in the first round of financial assistance. This cash support was a crucial lifeline, allowing Abrar to buy essential food items such as rice, beans, wheat flour, and oil, as well as coal to heat their home. “With that money, I was able to purchase coal for heating and buy food items like wheat flour, beans, and oil,” says Abrar with a tone of gratitude. “It helped us to survive this challenging period.” 

The relief was not only practical but also psychological, easing the strain on the family and bringing a glimmer of hope. Karima shared how the assistance made a tangible difference.  

Even young Shogofa noticed the change. “During this month, we had good foods like rice, beans, and vegetables,” she says with a smile. “Before, we only ate once a day. I hope we can continue to have good food and warm rooms in the future.” 

Save the Children, with the support of the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), has been implementing a multipurpose cash assistance distribution to support vulnerable families like Abrar’s* across northern Afghanistan. The first round of 10,000 AFN was provided to each selected family, and two more rounds of the same amount will follow over the coming months. This continued assistance aims to help families meet their urgent needs, such as food and fuel, as they struggle through the long, unforgiving winter. 

For Abrar* and his family, this means being able to provide food and warmth for his children until the season changes. While the challenges they face are far from over, the assistance has brought them hope and stability, even if just for a short while.