Update from Act for Peace's partner in Afghanistan

In the last few days, Taliban forces have taken control of all Afghanistan's major cities. Almost 390,000 people have been displaced, and tens of thousands now need urgent humanitarian assistance. They are in crisis.

Prayer for Afghanistan

O God of mercy and of peace,

We hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan.

Be living bread to those who are hungry each day

Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of pandemic

Be their true home to all who have been displaced

Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views

Be peace to those engaged in armed conflict and those who live within its shadow.

Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace, 

Open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care

Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people and

Hold us all in your unfailing love. 

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of all but love in order to bring life in all its fullness. 

AMEN

©  Ramani Leathard (Christian Aid, a fellow ACT Alliance Member)

A message from Act for Peace (AfP) CEO

You will have heard the news of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. After the confronting scenes and stories coming from the country this week, hope is feeling hard to hold on to. 

At harrowing times like this, we continue to heed the words of scripture in Romans 12:12 to ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ 

As we prepare a practical response towards the unfolding disaster, we have been in contact with our partner and are relieved to hear the staff are all safe. We have been in contact with our partner and are relieved to hear the staff are all safe. As we prepare a practical response towards the unfolding disaster, will you please join us in praying for those affected?

In particular, we ask for prayers for:

• Women and girls who are particularly scared for what the new Taliban regime will bring.
• Christians and other religious minorities who are anticipating persecution under the new regime.
• The people of Afghanistan, our partner, faith groups and other NGOs who are considering how they best respond to the impending dramatic increase in refugees and internally displaced people.

I have also included a prayer written by one of our partners. (above) 

Education provides the chance to develop the talents and skills God has given us. For girls in Afghanistan, they are still fighting for this chance. 

For years, our partner has worked together with community leaders, parents and teachers to shift social attitudes in rural Afghanistan and ensure schools are equipped to provide an engaging and safe learning environment for girls to thrive.

Only time will tell how their program is going to be impacted and we will stay in close contact over the coming days and weeks to assist them as they need.

This is a situation we can respond to together. With your help, we will continue our commitment to supporting our local partners to create a safe place to belong for people uprooted by conflict and disaster. 

We will keep in touch about other ways you can help moving forward.

Together, in peace,

Janet Cousens

CEO - Act for Peace

Afghanistan Emergency appeal 

Please help provide urgently needed food, shelter, and health supplies to displaced families in Afghanistan.

The Act for Peace Afghanistan emergency appeal will support Act for Peace's local partner who are preparing to assist up to 50,000 uprooted families with food, shelter, and vital health supplies. 

Donations to the appeal will help provide:

• food aid for the next six months (in monthly cash grants), keeping families from starvation.
• distribute shelters with blankets, plastic sheets, mattresses and pillows to keep families safe through the coming harsh winter. 
• provide emergency mobile healthcare services, targeting mothers, babies and children (at least two teams per province).

To make a donation go to: https://www.actforpeace.org.au/afghanistan