Hope Returns to Sponsored Orphans in Laghman and Nangarhar, Afghanistan

In eastern Afghanistan, where conflict and poverty have long shaped daily life, orphaned children are among the most vulnerable. Many have lost parents to war, displacement, or disease, and now rely on neighbors, distant relatives, or overburdened caregivers to survive. Food insecurity remains widespread: families often skip meals, and hygiene resources are scarce, leaving children at high risk of illness and malnutrition. 

In late August 2025, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) carried out a vital operation in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces to support 233 orphans through direct food and hygiene assistance. Each child received a carefully prepared basket of essentials, flour, rice, cooking oil, sugar, beans, macaroni, and soap, covering their basic needs for several weeks. 

The distributions were conducted by LIFE’s Afghanistan team over three days, from August 25 to 27, in full coordination with local authorities and community elders. In total, 183 children were reached in Laghman and 50 in Nangarhar, with a nearly even split between boys and girls. “This support came at a critical time,” said one field supervisor in Laghman. “Many of these families had nothing left in their homes. Now they can cook again, they can rest.” 

The project’s impact was immediate. Families reported reduced hunger, better hygiene, and emotional relief after receiving the supplies. In households headed by widowed mothers, the assistance restored stability. For caregivers already stretched thin, the food baskets meant fewer impossible choices between buying bread or medicine. 

Ahmad, a young orphan from Laghman, described how the loss of his father changed everything: “We never thought about where food came from until he died. Now we understand how hard life is without a breadwinner. LIFE helps us survive.” 

For many, this project offered more than sustenance, it offered hope. By coordinating with local leaders, LIFE ensured transparent distribution and community participation. Despite the difficult terrain and long travel routes, all supplies reached their destinations safely. 

Through initiatives like this, LIFE continues to bring stability and compassion to communities where loss has been constant, and hope has often felt out of reach.