The over 4 million Afghan refugees in Iran are the overlooked and forgotten victims of the US/Israel vs. Iran war.
When war broke out, countless Afghans lost their jobs in construction and other informal work. Now, as income collapses and inflation bites, they are left unable to feed their families or pay their rent. Food costs nearby double what it did a year ago. People are forced to skip meals, delay medical treatment, and take on debt. All while enduring the horrors of war and displacement.
It is a glimmer of hope that NRC has provided thousands of families with emergency cash to buy the essentials and afford food. We are providing mental health support to children, parents and teachers, and we are repairing war-damaged schools and providing safe places for children to continue to learn. The war has displaced millions.
We have funding from Norway, Sweden, and the EU. Other donors are so far unresponsive, while so much more is needed in the deepening crisis. We currently only have funds for another 1,000 families — many others requiring urgent assistance will go with zero. Without further funding, our emergency relief will run out of money in one month.
Since 2012, NRC has been in Iran supporting Afghan refugees. We have scaled up our aid to both vulnerable Afghans and Iranians who have lost everything in this war. We are uniquely positioned as a primary responder on both sides of the Iran-Afghanistan border, we have an operational presence in nine Iranian provinces, and are at key transit and reintegration hubs in Afghanistan. Our operations urgently need funding to do more for the millions in need.