Cash for Food Assistance Brings Relief to Earthquake-Affected Families in Kunar

On 31 August 2025, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, devastating Sawkay and Noorgal districts in Kunar Province. Within seconds, hundreds of families lost their homes, livelihoods, and access to basic needs. The remote Andar Lachak village in Sawkay district was among the hardest hit its residents displaced and struggling to secure food for survival.

In response to the devastating impact, NCA, with the support of DKH, implemented a cash-for-food assistance initiative to support the most affected families in Andar Lachak village, Sawkay district. 

The intervention aimed to meet urgent food needs while enabling affected families to make their own purchasing decisions and restore a sense of dignity and stability.

NCA’s humanitarian team implemented the response, providing USD 340 per household, covering four months of food support (USD 85 per month) to 95 severely affected families. This one-time cash assistance enabled families to purchase essential food items such as wheat flour, rice, oil, and pulses from local markets and was provided in a single installment to ensure timely support.

“We lost everything when our house collapsed. The cash support helped us buy food and survive these difficult months,” said one of the rights holders from Andar Lachak, expressing gratitude for the timely support.

The process began with a coordination meeting between NCA’s provincial team and the District Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Committee in Sawkay. Through this collaboration, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Dewagal Valley and Andar Lachak were identified as among the most vulnerable. Following field verification and beneficiary registration, the approved list was finalized for cash distribution.

“This intervention was designed to help families meet their immediate food needs and begin the process of recovery,” said Murtaza Safi, Shelter Engineer at NCA.

The cash distribution took place in Sawkay district, Dewagal valley, Ander Lachak IDPs camp-Kunar, ensuring accessibility and transparency. During the activity, beneficiaries were briefed on accountability and complaint mechanisms, and complaint boxes were available on-site, reflecting NCA’s commitment to responsible and transparent aid delivery.

Among the 95 assisted households were women-headed families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities (PWDs)—groups particularly vulnerable to the socioeconomic impacts of the earthquake. Beyond meeting food needs, the intervention also supported local market recovery, as cash recipients spent their assistance within nearby communities.

A Lifeline for Recovery and Hope

The cash-for-food initiative forms part of NCA’s broader humanitarian response to strengthen resilience and restore livelihoods in disaster-affected communities. By prioritizing cash-based support, NCA and DKH enabled families to recover with dignity, choice, and flexibility.

“Our goal was not only to provide food assistance but also to empower families to make choices that best meet their needs,” said Farhad Aaqeb, NCA’s Humanitarian Program Coordinator. “Through close coordination with local authorities and community leaders, we ensured that the most vulnerable were reached in a fair and transparent way.”

As the community begins to rebuild, this cash assistance has provided life-lining food security and restored dignity to families who endured the trauma of the earthquake.

We will continue the response, made possible due to NCA`s own funds and Norad Flexible funds.