03.01.2012 – Ayenda Foundation, a non-profit public charity 501 (c) 3 organization, distributed over $10,000 worth of humanitarian supplies to Afghan refugee returnees and internally displaced families in Kabul after being hit by this winter’s record snowfall and unprecedented cold temperatures. As the New York Times recently reported, in a period of a few weeks. This is not an official count of the number of lives lost since most deaths are often left unreported or undocumented; however, they do continue to die in ever-increasing numbers. In addition to the families who have lost loved ones due to deadly temperatures, thousands more continue to struggle to keep warm and find food to eat. Families that have survived the freezing temperatures do so in flimsy makeshift tents while very little assistance, western or local, has been made available to them.

Ayenda Foundation quickly responded to this tragedy by distributing adequate supplies of cooking oil, rice, flour, milk and baby formula, but there is still more to be done. The poverty rate is staggering and the number of deaths are on pace to surpass the total from last year. When we see the face of Afghanistan in the mainstream media, we are shown images that depict violence and war. What we don’t see are those faces that lack hope, that lack anger, who have been beaten down and pushed aside and whose only desire is to have warmth and food for themselves and their families. Right now there are still thousands of women and children struggling, through no fault of their own, to survive this winter season.

We encourage you to view some of the pictures taken by Ayenda Foundation’s distribution team as they were assisting many of these people (refugee returnees and internally displaced families) in Qamber Crossing and Khoshal Khan District. The images illustrate the blistering conditions that ordinary Afghans face every day. Once you begin to truly see how they live and the trials and tribulations they go through, you also begin to see the beauty and resiliency of the people. Through frigid temperatures, through pangs of hunger, through exhaustion, through loss of loved ones, through desperation and struggle for hope, they continue to fight. And while it may not be easy to accept the reality of human beings enduring such harsh conditions, it’s the truth, and with our ability to face it and bring it to light, we also bring the ability to help the situation and help alleviate some of the despair of these people. We now call on all people of conscience to join and learn more, and to get involved. The support already received has been an intrinsic part of our success thus far. “Once again, the generous contribution of our supporters enabled us to respond to an emergency this winter by helping our precious children and their families. I am very grateful to our friends and supporters for saving and improving the life of Afghan children and hope they continue to remain generous and committed in supporting our efforts,” said Shamim Jawad, Founder and President of Ayenda Foundation.

Thank you for enabling us to help those in need, those who desperately want assistance, who have put their pride aside to say, “we nee help” and who only want to survive, to thrive, and to make Afghanistan a better place for their children. Your support has strengthened our resolve and determination and together, we have laid the groundwork for tomorrow’s work.