COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER

Coronavirus is impacting us all. However, for our friends and colleagues in Afghanistan the situation is already extremely precarious. Afghanistan's weak health system is stretched to its limits, and the country is coping with renewed hostilities with the Taliban, a disputed presidential election and the announcement this week that the US is reducing aid by US$1 billion.

We can't sit passively as the virus spreads. That is why we are launching a campaign to raise £35,000 for the health workers serving on the front lines of this battle: EMERGENCY hospitals in Afghanistan.

HERE IS A LINK TO THE JUSTGIVING PAGE

Since 1999, EMERGENCY has worked to establish a network of over 40 FAPs and Public Health Clinics throughout the country, in order to provide treatment to communities facing the most dire lack of healthcare facilities

Tens of thousands of Afghans have recently returned from neighbouring Iran, bringing widespread risk of infection throughout poverty stricken areas of Afghanistan. Stalled in a political impasse, and facing renewed hostilities, the country's health system is poorly prepared to cope with the outbreak.

It is particularly challenging difficult to enforce social-distancing measures in any society, let alone such a communal one.

"Afghans are very social people with several generations, up to 30-50 people in rural areas, living in the same home" explains Nick Bishop, who is leading the IOM’s response to Covid-19 in Afghanistan.

Conditions are rife for viral transmission and it will hit the population hard. Food and transport costs have already risen (as much as 50% in some places) as borders have closed. And all of this is before considering the country's limited access to medical care.

"EMERGENCY Afghanistan really provide an excellent service it is something worth investing in." - Nick Bishop, leading the IOM’s response to Covid-19 in Afghanistan

We hope to raise enough funds to provide EMERGENCY hospitals with protective essentials like hand-sanitiser and face masks. But EMERGENCY's work goes beyond treating COVID-19 patients, and the funds raised will also directly supporting their treatment of other vulnerable individuals.

EMERGENCY has four centres and remote first aid clinics across Afghanistan and have treated over 7 million patients since 1999. These remote clinics include offering services in prisons and rehabilitation centres, as well as two Kabul orphanages.

As COVID-19 spreads, these centres will be in critical need of support. We hope to raise enough funds to provide EMERGENCY hospitals with protective essentials like hand-sanitiser and face masks.

But EMERGENCY's work goes beyond treating COVID-19 patients, and the funds raised will also directly supporting their treatment of other vulnerable individuals.

Please make any donations HERE via our JustGiving page that will go directly to EMERGENCY hospital.

OUR TARGET 

We are hoping to raise £35, 000 which is enough to fully fund more than seven first aid posts in the most remote parts of rural Afghanistan.

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT CAN DO

• £5 pays for a day of free meals for one of EMERGENCY’s hospital patients in Afghanistan
• £125 provides a week’s support in one of EMERGENCY’s clinics in Kabul prisons.
• £500 supports one month’s support in one of EMERGENCY’s clinics in Kabul prisons 
• £2,500 will fully run a First Aid Post in Afghanistan for a month, providing treatment even to the most remote areas of Afghanistan.

WE WON'T USE YOUR MONEY FOR

This is a non profit initiative, everything we raise will be used for EMERGENCY’S efforts to reduce and treat the spread in Afghanistan. Anything you are able to give will be greatly appreciated!

• No money will be spent on management costs, administration or rent
• No money will be spent on advertising
• No money will be spent in EMERGENCY's hospitals/projects outside of Afghanistan

The situation is evolving rapidly and we will continue to update these amounts as per EMERGENCY's needs in response to the pandemic.
If you would like further information, please don't hesitate to write to us fundraising@ishkar.com.

The right to treatment is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to all people, without any form of discrimination. Since 2001 EMERGENCY have offered healthcare assistance to inmates in Afghan prisons. Today, they manage and run five Healthcare Centres inside Kabul’s Pol-i-Charki, which has over 10,000 inmates.

Afghan staff work alongside their international staff at EMERGENCY to provide primary healthcare and first aid. Many internationals will leave Afghanistan during the COVID pandemic and the in-country staff will need all the support possible.