In Afghanistan, where conflict, economic instability and geographic constraints converge, the path to recovery is rarely straightforward. Yet even in the most challenging conditions, local stories are emerging that highlight how inclusive, responsive programming can make a difference.

Community-driven accountability in action

Earlier this year, Fatima* – a resident of a remote village in Herat Province – received a modest sum of humanitarian cash assistance, part of a broader emergency response to the worsening socio-economic conditions. For her and others in the village, it offered much-needed relief.

But within 24 hours, that relief was taken away. Two men in her community, acting without authority, reclaimed the funds from 23 recipients, claiming the money needed to be redistributed more widely. For Fatima, this was a financial setback and a demoralizing experience.

Despite fears of retaliation, Fatima made a difficult decision: she contacted Awaaz Afghanistan – the country’s only nationwide, inter-agency, toll-free platform for feedback and complaints related to humanitarian assistance. The team respected her request for anonymity, documented the case and referred it to the appropriate humanitarian agency.

Within days, a field team visited the area, confirmed the misuse and took corrective action. Ten days after Fatima’s call, each affected household received the full amount of assistance.

Community-driven accountability in action

Earlier this year, Fatima* – a resident of a remote village in Herat Province – received a modest sum of humanitarian cash assistance, part of a broader emergency response to the worsening socio-economic conditions. For her and others in the village, it offered much-needed relief.

But within 24 hours, that relief was taken away. Two men in her community, acting without authority, reclaimed the funds from 23 recipients, claiming the money needed to be redistributed more widely. For Fatima, this was a financial setback and a demoralizing experience.

Despite fears of retaliation, Fatima made a difficult decision: she contacted Awaaz Afghanistan – the country’s only nationwide, inter-agency, toll-free platform for feedback and complaints related to humanitarian assistance. The team respected her request for anonymity, documented the case and referred it to the appropriate humanitarian agency.

Within days, a field team visited the area, confirmed the misuse and took corrective action. Ten days after Fatima’s call, each affected household received the full amount of assistance.

“This case is a powerful reminder that when people speak and when humanitarian actors listen, meaningful protection and justice are possible – even in the most remote corners of Afghanistan,” he adds.

Supported by UN organizations and partners, Awaaz Afghanistan has handled nearly 600,000 calls and reached almost 4 million people – serving as a bridge between communities and humanitarian responders.

Laying the groundwork for resilient communities

In other parts of the country, infrastructure rehabilitation is also helping address long-standing access barriers.

In Mazar-e-Sharif, Shukria once had no choice but to carry her elderly mother on her back down a narrow, unpaved alley each time she needed care. Today, thanks to a rehabilitated road, she can bring transport directly to their home.

“Now I don’t have to carry my mother anymore,” says Shukria.

Similar changes are being seen in Herat and Ghazni. In Herat’s Sayed Abad neighbourhood, improved roads and drainage have made it easier for expectant mothers like Sobra to reach medical care.

“The new road changes everything for us,” says Sobra. “We no longer fear the journey to the hospital.”

These improvements are part of the Afghanistan Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project, implemented by UNOPS and funded by the World Bank and the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund. So far, over 9,500 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated in rural and urban areas, improving access to essential services for over 14 million people, half of whom are women. The project also provides temporary income opportunities through a cash-for-work programme.

Afghanistan’s path forward is not easy, but these stories show how local solutions can make a real difference. From building stronger roads to setting up ways for people to share their feedback, giving communities the power to lead their own recovery helps create fairer and longer-lasting progress.

“Now I don’t have to carry my mother anymore,” says Shukria.

Similar changes are being seen in Herat and Ghazni. In Herat’s Sayed Abad neighbourhood, improved roads and drainage have made it easier for expectant mothers like Sobra to reach medical care.

“The new road changes everything for us,” says Sobra. “We no longer fear the journey to the hospital.

These improvements are part of the Afghanistan Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project, implemented by UNOPS and funded by the World Bank and the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund. So far, over 9,500 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated in rural and urban areas, improving access to essential services for over 14 million people, half of whom are women. The project also provides temporary income opportunities through a cash-for-work programme.

Afghanistan’s path forward is not easy, but these stories show how local solutions can make a real difference. From building stronger roads to setting up ways for people to share their feedback, giving communities the power to lead their own recovery helps create fairer and longer-lasting progress.