In Afghanistan, where over one third of people are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse, families like Ali Mohammad’s* face the daily challenge of accessing enough food to feed themselves.
At 79 years old, Ali is the primary provider for his family of four, including himself, his wife Amina, his 35-yearold daughter, and nine-year-old grandson. Despite his age, Ali works tirelessly to support those who depend on him.
Tragically, Ali and Amina have lost multiple family members in recent years. In 2016, their son Eiwaz* died from a roadside mine explosion, and months later, his wife Zainab* passed away during childbirth.
In 2022, amidst a deteriorating economic situation in Afghanistan and severe drought, their second son Qurban* travelled to Iran on a desperate job search and has not been heard from since.
The family’s hardships continued as they survived on wheat bread and tea, occasionally with potatoes or rice. Years of physical labour left Ali unable to farm his land, Amina struggled with the trauma of the deaths of Eiwaz and Zainab, and their daughter took care of their home, but without any income-earning opportunities. Since the family does not own any livestock and Ali had to sell their farm land to pay for life’s essentials, there are no opportunities for his daughter to engage in farming work either.
Prior to receiving assistance from the local Afghanistan partner of Foodgrains Bank member Presbyterian World Service & Development, program participant Ali* voiced his concern over developing mental health struggles: “The harsh winter and the constant worry about providing food and medicine have taken a toll on my sleep.” (Photo: Supplied)
“I don’t know what to do without any source of income,” says Ali. “I used to borrow essential food and hygiene items from the district center market, 21 kilometres away from my home. However, for the past seven to eight months, they have refused to lend me anything because they know I cannot repay it.”
When Ali’s household was selected by Presbyterian World Service & Development’s local partner implementing a food assistance program in Afghanistan, starting December 2024, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to partner staff for lifting the burden he had carried for so long.
“With this assistance, I was able to purchase essential food items like flour, oil, sugar, salt, and rice. For the first time in a long while, we no longer have to worry about food.”
Over 3,800 households in Bamyan are being supported with five months of cash assistance to improve access to nutritious food for women, men, and children affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The program is also supported by the Government of Canada through the Long-Term Institutional Support grant.
*Due to security concerns, names have been changed, and the local partner is not named.
This story was originally published in the 2025 spring edition of Breaking Bread.
