War Child Canada is a registered Canadian charity based in Toronto that works to accelerate peace and disrupt the cycle of violence by investing in and empowering local communities to build brighter futures through comprehensive, evidence-informed programs that foster resilience, self-reliance, and self-determination.
War Child Canada is globally recognized for our grassroots, community-driven model of humanitarian action that’s rooted in collaboration and entirely locally led. We have developed a solid track record of long-term, sustainable impact supporting children and families living in areas dominated by conflict.
War Child Canada works with some of the most vulnerable populations around the world and is a leader in developing and implementing programs specifically targeting and protecting children, women, and displaced people living in the most complex humanitarian environments in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen.
War Child Canada began working in Afghanistan in 2001 by supporting the reintegration of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan. It formally launched in-country programming in 2009 and has since developed a strong portfolio across multiple sectors, including protection with a focus on child protection, MHPSS, education, livelihoods, and access to justice. These programs address critical protection concerns affecting children and youths and promote community-based protection and support mechanisms. Following August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office sustained and adapted its programming to prioritize lifesaving and humanitarian interventions. These include the delivery of MHPSS and essential health services, and livelihoods support interventions while maintaining a focus on long-term development and recovery. The country program continues to bridge humanitarian and development needs through integrated, community-based solutions.
Currently, War Child Canada supports women, girls, boys, men, and persons with disabilities in the provinces of Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Bamyan, Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, and Baghlan through its health, education, protection including child protection, youth empowerment, economic development, and emergency response programming. The Afghanistan program is enhancing its focus on market-oriented and community-led interventions. These include vocational training and entrepreneurship support, particularly for youth, to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. A key component of the program strategy involves capacity building for local organizations and strengthening community-based protection and support approaches. This includes promoting local leadership in service delivery and creating platforms for inclusive, participatory engagement. In a complex setting with evolving needs and limited resources, War Child Canada remains committed to responsive, adaptive, and context-driven programming that supports recovery, dignity, and resilience for conflict-affected populations in Afghanistan.