COVID-19 Aid for Education in Afghanistan

Dear Friends and Supporters,

According to World Health Organization (WHO), as of July 22, 2022, “there have been 184,069 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 7,737 deaths. As of 17 July 2022, a total of 6,706,843 vaccine doses have been administered, a low figure compared to other countries. There are shortages of oxygen and ventilators to treat severe COVID-19 cases, and not to mention trained medical staff. Vaccine inequity has also impacted Afghanistan due to roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. Epidemiologists have warned that failure to stop COVID-19 in one geographical area presents a serious risk of potential for outbreak to the rest of the world.

While COVID-19 remains a serious health concern, Afghans are dealing with more urgent matters since the government collapse in August 2021. Persecuted and marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt. Hazaras, also known as Afghanistan’s others, continue to be substantially sidelined from the life-saving humanitarian aid distributed by major aid organizations. While some minor improvements have been reported recently – however, the aid distributed in Hazara areas pales in comparison to the much higher amount of aid distributed among the ruling Pashtuns, according to Hazara community leaders on the ground. There are reports of aid allocated for Hazaras that are distributed to Taliban soldiers and members of their Pashtun tribes. Additionally, the aid that finally reach Hazaras are very small compared to the aid distributed in Pashtun areas, and only covers a small fraction of the communities in specific localities.

Taliban have consistently denied Hazaras access to aid since the start of the humanitarian efforts in the fall of 2021 following the collapse of Afghan government in August 2021. It is part of their strategy of collective punishment of Hazaras due to the community’s support for the U.S. intervention in the past 20 years. In most cases, Taliban outrightly deny the need for humanitarian aid in Hazara areas. A recent example is the conflict in the Hazara-populated district of Balkhab in northern Afghanistan. After the Taliban attack late last month and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, the United Nations reported approximately 27,000 displaced Hazaras who fled after the Taliban military campaign in Balkhab. The Taliban denied the existence of displaced Hazaras and went as far as denying casualties and violence in Balkhab (please see the links provided to reports on Balkhab conflict). They tried to block humanitarian aid for thousands of the displaced Balkhabis, who have taken refuge in Bamyan province and other neighboring districts. Hundreds of families have fled to the mountains and are in urgent need of food, water and shelter. 

It is of utmost importance that the international community introduce urgent improvements to the aid distribution process so that all Afghans - regardless of race, religion and gender, and with minimum interference from Taliban - have access to the life-saving aid. It appears that aid has become a mechanism of punishment and reward for the current rulers of Afghanistan.

Again, while COVID-19 remains a serious risk, the Afghan people, particularly the marginalized groups, battle more urgent enemies – violence, displacement and severe food shortages. Within our limited resources, the Foundation is in the process of dispatching a humanitarian aid package to those who have fled to the mountains and who are in dire conditions. We will provide more details in the next report. 

In this time of crisis, your support has never been more critical. Your donations to this project will go towards supporting the persecuted Hazaras, who are battling a humanitarian crisis and a dangerous contagion. 

We are thankful for your continuous support.

With grattitude,

Timor + the Bamyan Foundation Team

Links:

• The Intersection of violence and Contagion in Afghanistan
• Report on Balkhab Conflict
• Conflict in Balkhab