In Afghanistan, years of conflict, drought and limited access to healthcare services make it difficult for marginalized families and individuals to grow enough food, improve their health, attend a school or escape the cycle of poverty. This is especially true for women and girls. PWS&D has supported work in Afghanistan, with a long-time partner, since 2001.  

However, since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, PWS&D was unable able to provide urgent humanitarian assistance or continue our vital long-term development work. Canadian sanctions and a restrictive interpretation of the Canadian Criminal Code’s Anti-Terrorism provisions made it impossible to send funds.  

After years of advocacy, the passage of Bill C-41 in June 2023 has made it possible to restart vital humanitarian assistance work in the country, which is urgently needed. An estimated 28.3 million Afghans (two-thirds of the population) are in need after three consecutive years of drought-like condition, crippling economic decline since the Taliban takeover, and decades of conflict and recurrent natural disasters.