Over the holiday weekend, I received some devastating news. Because you are one of our top supporters, I'm reaching out to share this unfortunate update with you. The International Rescue Committee made the difficult decision to pause our programs and humanitarian activities in Afghanistan following the Taliban's ban on women working for NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).

The edict to cut women from the NGO workforce (like the IRC) came shortly after the Taliban restricted educational opportunities for women and girls too. I'm deeply saddened by this turn of events because of whom it will hurt the most: Afghan women and girls and the families who rely on them.

Making this decision was not easy for us, as more than 3,000 out of the 8,000 people we employ in Afghanistan are women and many of the recipients of our work in the country are women and girls. For us, our ability to deliver services rely on women staff at all levels of our organization. If we are not allowed to employ women, we are not able to deliver to those in need. And with 97% of the Afghan population at risk for poverty, humanitarian aid is needed now more than ever.

Since our women staff members in Afghanistan are prohibited from working in the country right now, many of the women and girls who access our services are currently without aid during the country's coldest season.

Right now, we're working hard to find solutions to continue our work. We will update you as the situation develops.
Despite setbacks, I feel lucky to be in this work with compassionate supporters like you. The IRC wouldn't be able to push forward and deliver aid to refugees and displaced people without your support.
We're grateful for your steadfast support, and I hope that we can resume our work for the people — especially the women — of Afghanistan, as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to deliver aid in the other countries we work in across the globe, as long as we're needed.

Sincerely,
Nancy

Nancy Dent
Senior Communications Officer, Afghanistan
International Rescue Committee

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