“We Will Die in Poverty Before Dying by COVID”: Young Adults and Multi-Layered Crises in Afghanistan

This publication draws on interviews, household surveys and a review of policy documents to examine how the current crisis is experienced by those most affected by it, and what it means for policy and programming.

Key findings

• Restrictions on women’s work and education compound economic hardship for entire households.
• Humanitarian access depends increasingly on local negotiation and trusted intermediaries.
• Programmes designed with communities are more resilient to sudden policy change.

Recommendations

Donors and implementing partners should invest in long-term, flexible funding, prioritise the participation of women in programme design, and support local research capacity so that evidence continues to inform decisions.