Afghanistan Crisis - Support services for vulnerable communities - War Child Canada 2024

In alignment with the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs Response Plan (HNRP), WCC's approach includes improving access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health care (RMNCAH) for women and children in affected communities, particularly in high returnee areas and flood and storm-affected areas. Additionally, child protection interventions will address the needs of returnees at zero points (border crossing areas) and transit centres in Torkham, Nangarhar province, and Spin Boldak, Kandahar province. Critical non-food items (NFIs) will also be delivered to flood and storm-affected communities in Baghlan and Nangarhar provinces to meet the essential needs of underserved populations. The project will utilise rented facilities to accommodate the mother and Child Health Centers (MCHCs) and Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in the targeted locations. Based on the information provided in Annex 12: Environmental Analysis and the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the project will include the construction and installation of incinerators.

Description of structure(s)

The project plans to install eight small incinerators at the designated eight health facilities, one in each MCHC, to be utilized for the safe disposal of medical waste generated in these facilities. Each incinerator will be equipped with an ash pit designed to safely collect and store the ash produced from the incineration process.

To ensure safety and security, all incinerator facilities, including ash pit, will be surrounded by a secure fence preventing unauthorized access. These incinerators will be constructed in compliance with local standards introduced by the Ministry of Public Health as well as global standards of World Health Organization (WHO) and will use locally available materials.

Authority required action (eg. Providing permit(s), funding, etc)

The project is funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by War Child Canada (WCC).

Description of the environment / site characterization

The MCHCs will be established in rural and underserved areas including returnee and IDP settlements of the four targeted provinces that lack essential public utilities, services, and infrastructure.

Thes four provinces face climate-induced water shortages, land degradation, and extreme weather events. The diverse geography between provinces influences the biophysical environment leading to distinct environmental risks and threats related to climate, water resources, vegetation, and land use across the provinces as follows:

1. Kabul (Central Afghanistan)

• Mountainous, semi-arid with cold winters and dry summers.
• Water scarcity due to over-extraction and population growth.
• Severe air pollution from vehicles, industry, and solid fuel use.
• Deforestation causing soil erosion and flash floods.
• Earthquake-prone, increasing disaster risks.

2. Nangarhar (Eastern Afghanistan)

• Fertile valleys, subtropical climate, and high agricultural output.
• Deforestation in mountainous areas, increasing soil erosion and flash flood risk.
• Water pollution in the Kunar and Kabul Rivers from industry and agriculture.
• Severe droughts impacting irrigation and food security.

3. Baghlan (North-Central Afghanistan)

• Mountainous terrain, temperate to semi-arid climate.
• Soil erosion and land degradation due to deforestation and overgrazing.
• Seasonal flooding from snowmelt, exacerbating landslides.
• Harsh winters affecting food security and livestock survival.

4. Kandahar (Southern Afghanistan)

• Arid, desert climate.
• Severe droughts and desertification, threatening agriculture.
• Water scarcity due to reduced river flow and groundwater depletion
• Frequent sandstorms reducing air quality