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Stories of Resilience and Hope
@IndrikaRatwatte
Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator
In my recent visit to the Eastern Region of Afghanistan, I witnessed resilience in action. I met families rebuilding their lives, women learning new skills and starting their own businesses, and communities embracing hope despite challenges. These stories left me inspired and reminded me of the real impact that the joined-up collaboration of the UN and its partners can have on people's lives.
The most inspiring feature of my visit was the way in which Afghan women step into new roles and opportunities that come their way, from learning the processing of soybeans to producing high-value food products. Women are building skills that improve nutrition and bring in money, uplifting whole families.
It is here, in this facility called the Salmadozi Center in Jalalabad, that Afghan women are producing beautiful handicrafts such as bead sewing and traditional embroidery.
These centres, supported by the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), provide not only practical experience and skills training, but allow to build self-confidence and solidarity in a path to decent livelihoods and better futures for Afghan women and their families.
I also saw communities trying to break free from the grip of narcotics. In Nangarhar and Laghman, STFA is helping farmers to leave poppy farming. They are developing sustainable alternatives to poppy cultivation by adopting climate-resilient crops and modern drip irrigation systems.
These farmers shared that they no longer have to grow poppies. Their children are now safe and go to school.
Meanwhile, the drop-in center in Mehtarlam helps people to overcome drug addiction: through counseling and healthcare, they rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families.
These interventions go hand in hand: offering farmers a feasible alternative while treating those suffering addiction with appropriate medical care. Together, they break the cycle of narcotics and build more resilient communities.
I have seen green innovation bring change and sustainability to Ikhlas Abad: a solar-powered recycling facility that is transforming wastepaper into notebooks, paper bags, and much more. It creates jobs, reduces environmental waste in the community, and contributes toward a greener environment - a win for people and the planet.
I also saw firsthand in Lowarty village how a flood protection wall is changing lives through the protection of families and livelihoods from devastating floods. This is a simple intervention, yet vital infrastructure that offers security, protects farmland and livelihoods, and gives peace of mind for communities standing on the brink of climate shocks.
And by investing in sustainable solutions through renewable energy or resilient community infrastructure, we build a cleaner, safer, brighter tomorrow.
The challenges in Afghanistan are immense, especially for returnees and displaced families. In Khogyani, I visited one of the community resource centers, which has supported more than 14,000 people. It offers counseling, professional training, and shelter. The center is a place where people can rebuild their lives.
One returnee shared with me, "When we arrived here, we had nothing. This center gave us shelter and provided us an opportunity to rebuild our lives."
None of this would have been possible without strong partnerships. I was joined on this mission by representatives from Norway, STFA co-chair and key donor. Their commitment - and those of other donors - to the Afghan people is clear. It is through such partnerships that lasting change can come, helping vulnerable communities make the journey from crisis to opportunity.
What I saw in Eastern Afghanistan gives me hope: women empowered and earning an income, farmers growing alternative crops, and families and communities turning the page to recovery and stability. These are the building blocks of a better future.
The UN STFA is a lifeline for many. It is empowering people to rebuild, innovate, and thrive.
With your continued support, we will reach more families and communities throughout Afghanistan. Every contribution count, whether it is helping a woman learn a new skill to start a business, giving farmers sustainable solutions, or protecting families from climate shocks.
Together, we can create a future where every Afghan can live a life with dignity, hope, and resilience.
How You Can Help:
Make a difference today by contributing at:
https://bethehope4afg.org