FAQs

Please be assured that our staff, both women and men, are still being paid and cared for during this time.

Many of the team are women, including senior leaders. Women are always at the heart of our work, so the impact of the ban is devastating. We can’t fully respond to the urgent needs of Afghans until the decision is reversed.

In Afghanistan, just like here in New Zealand, women fill many vital roles. They are nurses, doctors, teachers, nutrition experts, team leaders and community health workers, among other things. Our female staff have access to populations and contexts that their male colleagues cannot reach. They’re critical to safeguarding the communities we serve.

Some good news: we’ve been able to restart the life-saving food assistance, health, and nutrition programmes you make possible. It’s because we’ve received assurances from authorities that the ban does not apply to women working in these areas.

Please keep the children of Afghanistan, as well as our staff there, in your prayers. Your kindness is so appreciated and so very needed.
 

Like you, we care deeply about the needs and rights of Afghan children. We’re extremely concerned about their situation. The stories we’re hearing from our local staff are heart-breaking.

The decision to ban women from working for NGOs is just the latest in a rollback of women’s rights. On March 23, 2022, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities banned girls from attending school beyond Grade 6. That means girls can no longer get a high-school education. On December 20, 2022, female students were banned from attending universities in Afghanistan.

But it’s not just women and girls who are suffering. Right now, more than half the population – including 14 million children – need urgent humanitarian aid and protection. It’s estimated 97% of Afghans face living in poverty this year. More than 1.1 million children under age 5 are acutely malnourished and at risk of starvation.

We’ve restarted the food assistance, health, and nutrition programmes that you make possible to help children in need. It’s because we’ve received assurances from authorities that the ban does not apply to women working in these areas.

We are hopeful that the de facto authorities will fully lift the ban, which will allow us to restart the rest of our vital, life-saving work in the country.
 

Yes! Your kindness will reach desperate children and families in need. Our food assistance, health, and nutrition programmes are up and running again because we received assurances from authorities that women will be safe and can work without obstruction.

The needs are more urgent than ever, and we will rush to make up for lost time. Your love today will help make sure we can reach the children who need it most receive as soon as the ban is lifted. Thank you for your amazing compassion and care for the children of Afghanistan.
 

The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is New Zealand’s largest youth fundraising campaign. 

Every year since 1975, tens of thousands of young Kiwis have taken a stand through a 40 Hour Challenge to raise money and bring hope to thousands of children living in poverty in more than 40 countries. Some participants choose to give up something for 40 hours, like technology or talking. Or, you could get creative, by living out of a backpack or doing 40 acts of kindness– whatever your idea is, just go for it! 

So far, more than 3 million New Zealanders have participated and over $80 million has been raised – helping to transform thousands of lives both here in New Zealand, and around the world. 

We’d love for you to join us!