In the context of a major health crisis, La Chaîne de l’Espoir plays a vital role in ensuring access to complex pediatric care, which is essential for the most vulnerable Afghan children. As the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, the NGO is strengthening its efforts to guarantee children and families access to vital care. Women and girls are paying the highest price for the economic crisis and restrictions on their rights.
Present in the country for over twenty years, La Chaîne de l’Espoir relies on the French Mother and Child Medical Institute (IMFE) in Kabul, a leading hospital for the treatment of complex pediatric pathologies.
The Afghan crisis in key figures
- 22.9 million people, or more than half the population, will need humanitarian assistance in 2025 (OCHA HRP Afghanistan)
- 3.5 million children are malnourished and require urgent nutritional treatment
- Every two hours, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth
The August 31, 2025 Earthquake: A Disaster Within a Disaster
A new shock struck the already devastated country. On August 31, 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake devastated the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. In a matter of seconds, entire villages collapsed, causing more than 2,200 deaths (as of September 5) and more than 3,600 injured. In some valleys, entire villages were wiped out.
The successive aftershocks, some of which reached magnitude 6.2, sowed panic and blocked access routes, considerably complicating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Faced with this emergency and to relieve the overwhelmed provincial hospitals, our field teams immediately mobilized.
Nearly 1,500 children treated in the first half of 2025
Between January and June 2025, 1,467 children received specialized care thanks to La Chaîne de l’Espoir.
1,147 surgical procedures were performed, ranging from corrective orthopedic surgeries to complex cardiac surgeries. In addition, targeted nutritional support was provided in a country where food insecurity is reaching alarming levels.
The Mother and Child Pavilion is more than just a place to stay; it offers comprehensive support: prenatal care, nutritional support, psychosocial follow-up, and health education. This holistic approach meets the multiple needs of families.
“Before his surgery, my son couldn’t walk. Today, he runs and plays with other children,” says Khalid’s mother, who lives at the Pavilion.
The French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (IMFE): A Unique Center of Medical Excellence
Inaugurated in 2006 by La Chaîne de l’Espoir, the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (IMFE) in Kabul has established itself as a leading institution. This leading hospital offers specialized services in:
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Neonatology
- Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
- Pediatric Emergency Services
Pioneering Medical Innovations
IMFE occupies a unique position in Afghanistan:
- First hospital to perform open-heart pediatric cardiac surgery
- Only institution to perform esophageal repair surgery, a lifesaving procedure for young children who have accidentally ingested caustic products
This unique expertise makes IMFE an essential link in the Afghan healthcare system, providing cutting-edge care to the most vulnerable children.
IMFE Stands with Afghan Women
In Afghanistan, half the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, including more than 14 million people who require access to healthcare, particularly women and children. In this context, our role is to respond to these vital needs with impartiality and humanity: to provide a safe space, access to essential healthcare, and to give women back the ability to protect their health and that of their families.
Anthony Dutemple, Head of Mission in Afghanistan
Testimonies from women receiving treatment
Zohra, 35: A mother of six, she suffered for years from the consequences of prolapsed organs and urinary incontinence. These problems severely impacted her daily life, causing pain and difficulty walking and sitting.
Beyond the physical aspect, these ailments were a heavy social burden: unable to wash her clothes because of her condition, Zohra lived in shame about her body odor and avoided celebrations and social gatherings. Thanks to La Chaîne de l’Espoir, she received free surgery at the Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (IMFE) in Kabul.
Halima, 28: She was able to undergo surgery for ovarian cysts. Married for several years, she has not yet been able to have children, but the operation could pave the way for future motherhood.
Lifesaving Care for Children Suffering from Severe Malnutrition
La Chaîne de l’Espoir has adapted its humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan to meet the urgent needs of the population. In addition to its usual healthcare offerings, IMFE has had a unit for treating children suffering from severe malnutrition since 2022.
This unit has a total of 16 beds, including four in a special care unit. Depending on needs, two intensive care beds are also made available to accommodate patients in critical condition.
Strengthening the Afghan Health System and Training Healthcare Providers
With only two doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, the country struggles to provide access to quality healthcare for nearly 40 million Afghans.
The IMFE is officially recognized by the Afghan authorities to provide postgraduate medical education (PGME) to Afghan physicians in nine specialties: Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesia, Radiology, Gynecology/Obstetrics, Clinical Pathology, and Cardiac Surgery.
