Strengthening Employment and Livelihoods through Social Safety Net Support in Western Afghanistan

This project supports employment and livelihoods recovery in earthquake-affected communities in Herat Province, western Afghanistan, with a particular focus on women, young people and persons with disabilities who are often excluded from mainstream recovery programmes. It responds to the long-term impacts of the 2023 earthquakes, which destroyed homes and infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods and deepened poverty and food insecurity in a context already affected by conflict, displacement and restrictions on women’s economic participation. Building on the International Labour Organization’s previous crisis response in Herat, the project combines short-term employment with inclusive livelihood support and social protection awareness. It creates temporary, decent jobs through labour-based rehabilitation of essential community infrastructure, helping households restore income while improving access to basic services for the wider community. At the same time, it expands access to income-generating opportunities for women who cannot participate in conventional public works by promoting home-based activities and locally appropriate work options. The project strengthens skills and employability by providing practical training on safe work practices, local resource-based construction methods and decent work principles, including occupational safety and health. It also raises awareness of social safety net mechanisms and workers’ rights, helping vulnerable households better understand and access available support in times of crisis. Employers involved in project activities receive guidance on inclusive employment practices and responsible work arrangements. Through these integrated actions, the project improves income security, strengthens resilience and promotes social inclusion in two severely affected communities. It contributes to more inclusive recovery by linking humanitarian response with longer-term development objectives, ensuring that employment creation supports dignity, safety and equal opportunity. Lessons learned from implementation are documented to inform future social safety net and livelihood interventions in fragile and crisis-affected settings in Afghanistan.

Project symbol

AFG/26/50/JPN

Admin unit

ILO-Kabul

Start date

01/10/2025

End date

31/07/2026

Total allocation

180000

Total expenditure

Status

Active

40121

Development Partners

Japan, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Country/Countries

Afghanistan

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions