Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality in the world. Particularly in the numerous villages located in remote areas, women are forced to give birth at home, risking their lives and those of their children. In one such village, in the Zhari district of Kandahar province, INTERSOS, with the support of DRA/SV, has opened a clinic that provides 24-hour health services and assists women during and after pregnancy.
Nestled among rugged mountains and vast deserts, Afghanistan is home to approximately 38 million people who live their daily lives in extremely remote villages. This magnificent but inaccessible land contributes to the high vulnerability of its population, leaving many in desperate need of assistance.
This year (2025), over 22.9 million Afghans are struggling to meet their basic needs, with 14.3 million people requiring urgent health services. This scenario of great need underscores the crucial importance of humanitarian aid to support those facing the greatest challenges.
Zarmina, a 30-year-old mother of eight, lives in one of the villages in Kandahar province. She battles daily with health issues and financial difficulties, while striving to secure a dignified future for her children through community support.
With a husband who earned a meager daily wage and limited job opportunities, she faced enormous challenges trying to meet her family’s basic needs, especially during her difficult pregnancies.
During her last pregnancy, however, she discovered the INTERSOS-run maternity clinic (Ashoqa), which provided her with the care she needed for a safe delivery.
“I was sick, and my husband and I couldn’t afford the care I needed. Then, a woman from our village told me about this clinic. Since I arrived, I have received excellent care that has given me hope,” Zarmina recounted.
She gave birth to her baby at the clinic, receiving care that ensured the well-being of both herself and the newborn.
“I also received supplements for six months, which helped me regain my strength and made breastfeeding easier. And then I was given supplements for my little one, which gave me peace of mind knowing we were both receiving what we needed to thrive.”
In 2023, INTERSOS, with the support of DRA (Dutch Relief Alliance) and Stichting Vluchteling, established the Ashoqa clinic in Kandahar province, where it provides essential 24-hour health services. The center assists approximately 100 people per day, addressing various health needs in a village of nearly 7,000 residents. Here, between 4 and 6 births occur daily, and support is offered to mothers and newborns who would otherwise risk their lives.
In the increasingly restrictive environment for women in southern Afghanistan, exacerbated by the isolation of villages due to often impassable roads, as well as a lack of information and healthcare facilities, health outposts like this are crucial.
In a village where people once had no choice but to face death, this clinic is now a lifeline for 7,000 lives, bringing hope where there was none before.