Najibullah Mangal, a 33-year-old resident of Qarghayee district in Laghman Province, faced significant challenges.

Living with his wife, two sons, and one-year-old daughter, Najibullah, a person with a disability, struggled to provide for his family due to limited physical capacity and an inability to secure stable employment. He relied on charity from relatives, friends, and local villagers to meet his family’s basic needs.

Years after his spontaneous return to Afghanistan, Najibullah faced difficulty in securing adequate shelter for his family, further exacerbating his stress and mental health challenges.

Living in a single room with his family in cramped, substandard conditions, he could not afford to build a larger, safer shelter, which only deepened his vulnerability.

However, through a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) Joint Project, Najibullah's life took a turn for the better. He was granted US $4,000 to construct a permanent two-room shelter, complete with a kitchen, corridor, and latrine.

Additionally, the project provided solar panels and a stove/Bukhari as part of a complementary package. This support is part of a broader Durable Solutions Initiative that has already benefited 562 families across various districts in the Eastern Region of Afghanistan, including Qarghayee. The newly constructed shelter has transformed Najibullah's living conditions, providing him and his family with safety, privacy, and protection from harsh weather.

"I am now very happy to have a decent shelter," he said. "It not only provides us privacy but also protects us from the harsh weather conditions. The new shelter has allowed us to accommodate guests with dignity, as they now have a separate room, distinct from our living area."

Najibullah’s story is a testament to the profound impact of targeted assistance and the power of community support, providing not only physical shelter but a renewed sense of stability and dignity for his family.