“We would have left this place or died here, if IAM hadn’t come to rescue us”
Afghanistan faces an acute internal displacement crisis as it suffers conflict, ongoing insecurity, and natural hazards, such as droughts and floods. The number of IDPs are growing day-by-day, and based on the World Health Organization (WHO) findings, a total of 9,457 people from six provinces fled their homes in March due to conflict, bringing the total number of IDPs to 62,476 in 2020.
Today, we went to visit some of IDPs, who are living in outskirts of Mazar city. They left their home because of heavy war and came to Mazar city in Balkh province four years ago. “We could not find an appropriate place for living, rents for houses were tremendously high and we were not able to afford it” says Nasim*, village committee leader for one of IAM’s partner villages. “With no other option, we come to this plain and bought some land, no one was even coming to this place because it was a desert. We were buying tanker of water and lived under tents.” They were living in despair and believed that they would soon run out of money for food and water, and that they would end dying.
Nasim, village committee leader for one of IAM’s partner villages.
IAM’s Mazar Livelihoods and Development Project (MLDP) has started to assist these IDPs, working in these newly created villages for two years now. “First, we asked IAM to provide us drinking water because nearby villages were not allowing us to get water from their wells. Thanks to IAM, for giving life to more 26 households by providing clean drinking water,” says Nasim. “If IAM had not helped us, we would have died or left this place for ever”. IAM worked closely with another NGO to coordinate the drilling of a well to provide this water and with this intervention, their life has changed a lot compared to the day they first arrived here.
IAM is also giving them training in sanitation and hygiene, agriculture, and various practical and income generating skills, such as three different kinds of embroidery courses and distribution of wool to be spun into yarn and resold. “By attending IAM’s courses, now we are able to save our incomes and buy the most needed things for our family and business,” says Sodaba*, one of participating in one of IAM’s courses. “We can even support our family financially.” IAM is committed to give two more courses in 2020, helping these families to become self-sufficient.
IAM is helping people through its different development projects all around Afghanistan. Our aim is to help build a culture of long-lasting development in their communities. MLDP is working alongside families and communities, building capacity to meet their own basic needs and improve the quality of their life through its different courses. MLDP is also advocating for their needs with other NGOs and the Government, enabling community to have access to water for drinking and irrigation of their gardens.
People of the village are thankful from IAM and its effort for building a better life for them and their future generations. “I wholeheartedly thank from the people who are helping us. We will always remember and honor for what they have been doing for us in our devastating situation.” says Nasim.
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*Names Changed