Currently, more than four million Afghans are in exile. It is estimated that two million are in Pakistan, 1.5 million are in Iran and one million are internally displaced. Even before the armed conflict by the United States, Britain and their allies, Afghans were leaving their country due to the oppressive rule of the Taliban. The UN has estimated that 7.5 million may soon be in need of humanitarian assistant.

Women and their health needs were neglected by the Taliban. The region has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world, at 17 per 1,000 live births. An estimated 1.1 million women are pregnant at this time. The life expectancy of Afghan women is only 44 years, largely due to deaths from pregnancy and childbirth.

Due to being displaced a lot of the women have to cross mountain passes into Pakistan and suffer from high rates of starvation, anemia and infection. This has also lead to the deterioration of children's health as well. Infant mortality is 25 percent in the first year of an Afghan child's life.

UNFPA representative, Dr. Olivier Brasseur said women have suffered the most during the 20 years of war in Afghanistan. "For all the relief UNFPA manages, it is no more than a drop in an ocean of misery," he said. He went on to say that it will take a long to repair the psychological damage that would have affected these women.

The Fund is currently seeking $4.5 million to cover emergency costs of reproductive health relief for women in the region. UNFPA claims it is the first step towards helping the women survive, regain and preserve their dignity. This according to them will also help unite and rebuild Afghanistan.

In order to improve their survival prospects UNFPA is providing birthing kits that will include cloth, soap, a razorblade to cut the umbilical cord and sterile gloves. These materials aim to make births safer and more hygienic.