What is a Humanitarian Crisis? Afghanistan Crisis Explained

Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

Local militant group Taliban has successfully regained control of Afghanistan capital (Kabul) on 15 August 2021 after 20 years just as the last of the US troops were scheduled to withdraw from the region. This marks an end to the 20-year-old Afghanistan crisis that first emerged since the 9/11 Al-Qaeda terror attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in 2001.

A new reign of terror has been inflicted upon the Afghanistan citizens who now have to face the harsh and barbaric rule of the Taliban without any recourse. Women and children are expected to face the brunt of their oppression.

This makes us wonder, “Is the Afghanistan conflict the very essence of a humanitarian crisis?”

What is a humanitarian crisis in today’s complex world of geo-political enmity?

Humanitarian Crisis and Its Impact

A humanitarian crisis arises from one or a series of socio-political events that lead to a sharp downfall of people’s safety, wellbeing and peace in a particular region. For example, a war between two countries can be denoted as a humanitarian crisis for the civilian lives associated with war casualties. Incessant wars lead to hunger, displacement and death.

A humanitarian crisis can also emerge out of natural reasons like famines, earthquake destruction, floods, cyclones, wildfires, epidemics and pandemics.

The most recent example of a global humanitarian crisis is the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel Coronavirus. The widespread distress and devastation caused by the pandemic across the world classifies it as one of the most gruelling humanitarian crises in contemporary times.

Afghanistan Crisis 2021

The Afghanistan conflict of 2021 is also a brilliant example of an unfortunate humanitarian crisis. While the unstable political regime of Afghanistan has been constantly dwindling between international powers and local warlords, it is the people who suffer the devastating consequences of the same.

There is a huge refugee problem in Afghanistan which has aggravated furthermore now. A report by Al Jazeera contends that more than 570,000 people form part of the internally displaced population in Afghanistan. A sizeable chunk of the internally displaced group consists of women and children.

More and more people are fleeing the country and escaping in fear of retaliation by the Taliban. Horrific images and video clips have recently emerged online that show Afghani citizens distraught across the Kabul airport desperately looking to get on an evacuation flight.

All countries, especially the USA, are initiating their evacuation procedures to rescue as many people as possible. However, global human rights forums must accept the hard pill to swallow – Afghanistan is in the middle of a huge humanitarian crisis and people are bound to suffer.

What You Can Do to Help

The Afghanistan humanitarian crisis is a tough battle between international political powers and terrorist outfits. The common citizenry may feel helpless in times like these but there are many ways that you can extend your support to Afghanistan nationals during this crisis.

You can donate feasible sums of money to genuine and verified organisations that are currently carrying out aid and rehabilitation programs in Afghanistan. Some of them include the Afghan Red Crescent Society, Afghanaid, Save The Children, Islamic Relief USA and UNICEF Afghanistan. A small donation can go a long way in ensuring someone’s food and shelter.

If you cannot monetarily contribute to the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis, you can simply share this post and any other information about the Taliban takeover on social media platforms to raise awareness about the same. Your empathy for the people of Afghanistan is of immense value no matter what!

Manisha Ray

A connoisseur of all things wonderful in life, Manisha is a literature major at Delhi University. She is a keen observer and a quiet thinker.

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