Rebuilding Lives: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in Afghanistan | Cordaid

Afghanistan is facing one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises. According to the latest Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund annual report, over 22.9 million people, more than half the population, require humanitarian assistance, even as funding continues to decline. Nearly four million people returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2025 alone, and nine in ten households are experiencing income shocks. Cross-border tensions have displaced tens of thousands more. Against this backdrop, mental health needs are severe. Surveys and evaluations consistently show that between 80 and 87 per cent of conflict-affected populations and returnees report acute psychosocial distress, including elevated anxiety and significant changes in behaviour. Left unaddressed, these conditions erode people's capacity to work, participate in community life, and build resilience over time, making mental health and psychosocial support not just a humanitarian priority, but a long-term development one. In 2025, Cordaid Afghanistan and its local partners reached 357,443 people through Community Resilience Centres (CRCs). 290,557 with mental health and psychosocial support, and 66,886 with physical rehabilitation services. Beneficiaries included men (39%), women (37%), boys (13%), and girls (11%). Working with local partners HADAAF and RCY, Cordaid operates across four provinces, Herat, Nangarhar, Daikundi, and Khost, covering 12 districts and 120 communities in both urban and rural areas where access to these services had long been limited. In Herat, this includes remote districts such as Pashtoon Zarghon and Shindand, as well as Adraskan and Obi. The CRCs offer psychosocial counselling, physical rehabilitation, community-based support, and skills training, helping people regain independence and return to daily life. This video features the story of Khumari, whose experience illustrates what this support can mean in practice. --- Cordaid is an internationally operating emergency relief and development organisation, working in and on fragility. www.cordaid.org/en Facebook: cordaidEN Twitter: @cordaid Instagram: @cordaid_international LinkedIn: company/cordaid