2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Food Distribution

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns created a severe health and financial crisis in Afghanistan, causing extreme hardship for the neediest families, particularly poor and unskilled workers who relied on daily income for their survival. Recognizing these dire circumstances, we quickly mobilized to provide financial support and joined a coalition of several Afghan organizations to purchase and distribute food supplies across the country. Our primary relief efforts in Kabul were carried out through two major food distribution projects in partnership with the Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE).

Phase One: April 2020 Ramadan Food Distribution

During the first week of Ramadan (April 24 to 30, 2020), we funded a joint food distribution project implemented by our colleagues at SAAE. The total value of this initiative was 1,500,000 Afghanis (US $19,916). To fund this, our management decided to repurpose US $18,622 that we had originally collected in 2014 for victims of the Argu Village landslide in Badakhshan Province. These funds were supplemented by a 100,000 Afghani donation from H.E. Engr. Yosuf Pashtoon.

An SAAE team—led by Engr. Yonus Nawandish and including Farhad Azizi, Maroof Astanikzai, Bahauddin Waziri, and Zahid Haqjo—planned and executed the distribution. We provided a one-month supply of basic food to 400 needy families in Kabul, at a cost of 1,472,000 Afghanis. Each family’s package contained one 50-kilogram bag of wheat flour, one 10-kilogram bag of high-quality rice, and two 5-liter containers of cooking oil. Additionally, after covering 20,500 Afghanis in logistical expenses, the remaining 22,310 Afghanis were donated to the Omaid Orphanage.

Phase Two: June 2020 Food Distribution

Following the success of the first phase, we initiated another fundraising round to continue assisting vulnerable families facing coronavirus-related quarantines. Thanks to generous contributions, we raised over $6,000, and transferred a donation of US $5,700 to Kabul. During the third and fourth weeks of June 2020, SAAE implemented this second phase, valued at 434,655 Afghanis (US $5,637.50).

An implementation team—comprising Ms. Dalia Akbarmir, Farhad Azizi, Zekria Habibi, and Zahid Haqjo—oversaw the distribution to 117 needy families. Each of these families received an expanded package consisting of a 50-kilogram bag of wheat flour, a 10-kilogram bag of high-quality rice, 3.5 kilograms of high-quality beans, 3.5 kilograms of sugar, and one 5-liter container of cooking oil.

Ensuring Safe and Transparent Logistics

To ensure that the distribution process was safe, transparent, and compliant with pandemic restrictions, the implementation teams enacted strict logistical measures designed to prevent crowding.

The teams identified supply markets in central locations of Kabul, negotiated for low prices and quality items, and stockpiled the purchased goods. To facilitate a smooth handover, we utilized a paper token system. The food bags at the distribution points were marked with printed sheets displaying the SAE and SAAE logos. Corresponding paper tokens were printed with the same logos, the address and phone numbers of the food store, and a list of the package contents.

These tokens were officially signed and stamped, then distributed directly to targeted recipients in various locations across Kabul City. Recipients simply submitted their tokens at the designated market to receive their food packages, while the implementation teams regularly monitored the distribution points to ascertain proper delivery and minimize effort for the families in need.