Raouf* resides in a remote village in northern Afghanistan with eight family members, including five children. The village is home to 150 families and solely relies on shepherding and farming for livelihood. However, the recent droughts have brought significant hardships, especially in meeting the basic food needs of the villagers due to limited access and economic constraints. Raouf* becomes a representative figure in the village, navigating the complexities of environmental changes and emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of economic adversity.

Child protection initiatives are active in various capacities within the village. A health team provides health and nutrition services on a weekly basis. Another crucial service involves the distribution of cash to individuals lacking food security. Following an assessment Save the Children has provided cash assistance 23,060 AFN (338 USD) to Raouf’s* family to help enhance food security, particularly during challenging times like the droughts. Additionally, the regular health and nutrition services offered by Save the Children's mobile health team in their village have contributed significantly to the overall well-being of Raouf's* family. This initiative, supported by Save the Children Japan and funded by the Japan Platform Fund (JPF), is dedicated. to strengthening community resilience in a northern province of Afghanistan. By providing cash for food assistance, the project aims to empower households, specifically those facing challenges similar to Raouf's*, in the wake of food insecurity crises. The primary goal is to enable these families to fulfil their basic food needs without resorting to negative coping strategies.

Raouf *: “I used the cash I received from Save the Children to purchase flour, rice, oil, and wood to keep my family warm. However, these food items are not sufficient for my family. After these food supplies are consumed, I will not have the ability to ensure food on the table for my family."

"My children also do not eat three proper meals a day. Their physical development is slowed, and they get sick easily."

"Winter is approaching, and I am concerned about how to provide my children with food."

"I am a shepherd, and I am the sole breadwinner of my family."

"If there is no drought, my job as a shepherd is fulfilling and secure [See note from the interviewer section for clarity].”

"I can hardly find a job for myself. I want my children to go to school, study, and contribute to our community.”

“Before receiving cash support from Save the Children, I used to borrow money from my relatives and friends to buy food."

“Our basic need for the time being is to secure a meal every day.”

"With the cash that I received from Save the Children, I purchased flour, rice, oil and wood to keep my family warm."

"The food I bought is not sufficient for us, especially as winter is approaching. I no longer have money for food and fuel.

If the drought persists like this, we might all face dire consequences."

"In our village, we have been experiencing severe drought for three years, and my animals cannot find enough grass in
the mountains and around our village. As a result, they have become weak and thin[see note from the interviewer for
further clarity]."