“Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”

That is the commitment to Afghanistan that humanitarian organisation Hagar Singapore stands by.

Even as the world watches the Afghanistan crisis unfold day after day, many aid organisations are continuing operations to provide critical assistance on the ground.

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“Given our important humanitarian agenda, we have assurances that our important life-changing work (in Afghanistan) will continue,” said Hagar Singapore in a statement issued on their Instagram account (@HagarSingapore) on August 18. 

An estimated 17,600 internally displaced people (IDPs) are in Kabul at the moment, with even more in rural areas, said Hagar Singapore.

IDPs are amongst the world’s most vulnerable people, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). While IDPs remain within their country of residence, they have fled for similar reasons as refugees – armed conflict, generalised violence and human rights violations. Many of these are women and children who are in acute need of assistance. 

From as early as May this year, people were abandoning homes and livelihoods to seek shelter in Kabul when the Taliban attacked major cities like Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif.

While IDPs already face a myriad challenges in getting access to basic human rights such as shelter, sanitation and food, the current instability has amplified matters. 

The well-being of women is of particular concern given the Taliban’s track record.

“We know your heart will be hurting for those precious people in Afghanistan who are displaced, stressed and worried about their futures,” said Hagar Singapore, which has done work there since 2008. They have affirmed that they are “in regular contact” with staff and their families and they are all “currently safe”.

“Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at ways in which we can reach out to those most affected, as Hagar’s work is needed even more than ever at this difficult time.

“We are committed to doing all that we can to provide relief to displaced families and children during this critical time.”

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At the moment, the team is focusing on these four key interventions in their response plan for Afghanistan:

1. Provide primary healthcare to internally displaced peoples (IDP): This includes creating and running a mobile medical clinic (to be led by Hagar’s in-house doctor);
2. Set up emergency shelters for displaced persons: The focus is on homeless girls and young women as they are most at risk;
3. Provide food aid and basic essentials to destitute families and existing clients: The unfolding situation has made some of their clients even more vulnerable, especially those who live in abject poverty;
4. Set up safe spaces for displaced young children: This will be done through creating classrooms within the IDP shelters where girls can continue to learn, play and feel safe.