Wahid* 37-year-old lives in a hard-to-reach area in northern Afghanistan with his wife and five children. Their village, grappling with drought and unemployment, compels him to seek work in neighbouring districts, earning 2.86 or 4.29 USD daily. Hence, this income falls short of covering essential food expenses, leading Wahid* and his family into economic challenges. 

His two eldest sons, Waleed* 12 and Jawad*10, go to school, want to continue their education and envision building a school and hospital for their village. Their goal is to enable village children to study and provide medical treatment for those without economic means. 

After an assessment, Save the Children identified the family as eligible for a Multi-Purpose Case Assistant (MPCA). Wahid*’s family was subsequently included in project activities, receiving cash assistance (MPCA) of $116.77 and $213.22 in two rounds. With winter already approaching, the food that Wahid provided to his family with the money he received from Save the Children is depleting; now, he is worried because his family is not prepared for a cold winter. They lack the necessary fuel and food resources, adding to the family's worries. 

Wahid’s Story in his own words: 

"After receiving 23,060 AFN ($329.99) from Save the Children, I could purchase food (wheat flour, rice, oil, sugar, beans, and other items) for my family for around two months. My children were glad that we had food for a while." Says Wahid* 

Wahid* elder son Waleed* said” "Our village has no hospital, and my school is far away, so I aspire to become a doctor and establish a hospital for our community. I witness people's difficulties in taking their children to other villages and cities for treatment due to lack of money." 

Wahid* also adds, “We are a family of seven. I have five children: two daughters and three sons. I am a daily wage worker; if I can find a job, I earn 200 or 300 (2.86 or 4.29 USD daily); the past three years of continuous drought have led to no agriculture or cultivation in our village. I often travel to other villages and cities searching for work, but finding employment during the winter becomes exceptionally challenging." 

"In other seasons like summer, fall, and spring, I work 15 days each month in neighbouring villages and cities, earning 200 or 300AFN (2.86 or 4.29 USD per day). While it isn't sufficient to meet all my family's needs, it's better than being at home and jobless." 

"We usually get a five-month-long cold winter season in our village. I struggle to provide food and other necessities to my family. I have no preparations for the upcoming winter, and I fear I won't be able to meet my family's basic needs, potentially leading to various problems." 

"Only two of my children are studying in school and madrasa [Islamic educational institution], but providing their educational supplies is tough for me. Before receiving help from Save the Children, my living situation was challenging. Significant changes occurred after the assistance, but I worry that the food purchased with their help is running out." 

"My economic situation may worsen in the upcoming winter with no food and firewood. My family and I anticipate facing hardships and various problems. I hope Save the Children continues their aid because finding a job during the winter is so difficult.” 

“Our village has no agriculture and cultivation because of the three-year-long drought. Hence, I have to go to other villages, or sometimes in cities, to find work, but the winter is approaching, and finding a job is so difficult in winter”. 

“Our village is far from the city, and it is tough to get around in winter. Here, we have to buy and store fuel and food before the snowfall and severe winter because when it snows, the roads will be blocked, but we don't have money to prepare for winter and provide the necessary needs of my family.” 

With funding from the Japan Platform Fund (JPF), Save the Children enhanced community resilience in the northern province of Afghanistan through a cash-for-food assistance programme. This initiative aimed to empower households affected by food insecurity crises, enabling them to meet their basic needs and prevent the adoption of harmful coping mechanisms. The project commenced in March 2023 and concluded in September 2023. It targeted ten villages located very far from the district centre, in hard-to-reach areas of high mountains where road communication is very challenging. The project reached 1,059 households (592 male-headed and 467 female-headed) with cash assistance of 23,060 AFN ($329.99) for each household. 

 *Names changed for anonymity