Humaira, a 35-year-old widow has faced countless challenges to provide for her family in Arif Khan village, Kunduz province. As the sole breadwinner, she relies on a cow and a goat, selling their milk to buy food for her children. With no official or unofficial job, these animals are her lifeline.

As winter approached, the rising costs of feed and the harsh weather threatened her ability to keep her livestock. Humaira was on the brink of selling her animals at low prices, a decision that would have left her family in a dire situation. "Due to the winter season and the lack of affordable feed, I was compelled to sell my animals at low prices," she explained, "but DACAAR's intervention saved me from making that choice."

Through the "Food Assistance, Livelihood Protection, and Restoration for Food Insecure Vulnerable People" project, funded by AHF https://www.unocha.org/afghanistan/about-afghanistan-humanitarian-fund and implemented by DACAAR, Humaira received essential support. The assistance included 50kg of oil, 200kg of wheat straw, 50kg of wheat bran, and 2 liters of dewormer. This provision not only ensured her animals were well-fed and protected from the harsh winter but also prevented her from losing her vital source of income.

"I am really happy with the assistance I received from DACAAR," Humaira said. "It allowed me to keep my animals and continue providing for my children."

While the aid brought temporary relief, Humaira remains concerned about the future. She hopes such support will be provided regularly to help families like hers maintain their livelihoods year-round.

Written by: Israrullah Sahil