The 2009 Humanitarian Action Plan for Afghanistan represents a major step towards a coherent and
prioritised strategy to alleviate the pressing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. The Plan aims
to meet the immediate needs and build the resilience of those made most vulnerable by natural
disasters, lack of access to basic social services, increasing food insecurity caused by rising prices,
the ongoing armed conflict and the worsening security situation. In a country where poverty and low
levels of development are widespread, the Plan acknowledges the need to define boundaries for
humanitarian action and to target assistance to caseloads according to identified priorities.
