Supporting LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan through the SAFAR programme

The SAFAR Programme (January 2024 – March 2026) was a humanitarian aid and resettlement initiative dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan who were facing severe risks because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan faced heightened risks of violence, discrimination and persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In response, Stonewall partnered with ILGA Asia to deliver the SAFAR programme, building on earlier evacuation work and establishing a coordinated support system for people still living in the country.

Over two years, the programme delivered life-saving assistance and helped people navigate pathways to safety.

What the SAFAR programme achieved

The programme made significant progress toward its objectives and successfully built the capacity needed to deliver support effectively. A strategic team was established, including a Programme Manager and three caseworkers , one employed directly by Stonewall and two employed by partner organisation ILGA Asia.

The programme also strengthened its partnerships, onboarding new regional partners to mobilise humanitarian aid resources for programme participants. This collaborative approach allowed SAFAR to respond quickly and safely to people in urgent need.

Throughout the life of the project, the team delivered direct assistance to more than 200 LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan. This support included:

• Financial assistance, delivered directly to people facing urgent hardship
• Mobile phones, enabling participants to safely communicate and access services
• Resettlement support, helping individuals pursue protection in safer countries

The programme also partnered with a specialist provider to offer remote psychosocial support to more than 40 programme participants, as well as to members of the casework team. This service provided vital emotional support during periods of extreme stress and uncertainty.

Supporting LBT+ women

A key success of the programme was its work supporting LBT+ women facing gender-based violence (GBV).

Through an 18-month partnership with ELRHA, the programme tested humanitarian innovations designed to support LGBTQ+ people in crisis settings. The project was successful, providing resources to LBT+ women who reported a feeling of safety through the support services of the programme.

SAFAR programme participant

How the programme worked

The SAFAR programme was delivered through a partnership between Stonewall and ILGA Asia, supported by a network of trusted humanitarian organisations. A dedicated casework team provided one-to-one support to programme participants using a secure case management system, ensuring assistance could be delivered safely and confidentially.

This partnership approach allowed the programme to deliver financial aid, psychosocial support and resettlement assistance to LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan while operating in a highly complex and sensitive environment. 

You can view ILGA Asia’s work here.

Stonewall & ILGA Asia SAFAR Afghanistan Briefing 2023.

Programme conclusion

Stonewall concluded the SAFAR programme in March 2026.

The programme successfully delivered life-saving support to hundreds of LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan and helped build important knowledge on how humanitarian responses can better support LGBTQ+ communities in crisis.

The SAFAR Programme (January 2024 – March 2026) was a humanitarian aid and resettlement initiative dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan who were facing severe risks because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2021, after the takeover of government in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Stonewall worked with a group of agencies to evacuate LGBTQ+ people. Stonewall then partnered with ILGA Asia to operationalise support to LGBTQ+ people living in Afghanistan through our SAFAR programme.

LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan faces threat of violence, discrimination and institutional persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Taliban, having imposed harsh restrictions on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people, underscored the grave situation left for minorities by re-introducing the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces punishments against LGBTQ+ people and women.

I can’t go back because homosexuality is a crime in Afghanistan and carries the death penalty.”

SAFAR programme participant who has been resettled

What does SAFAR aim to do?

SAFAR aims to provide impactful support to LGBTQ+ people facing crisis in Afghanistan. Through grant funding, LGBTQ+ people at risk of violence and persecution are accessing: 

Financial aid - we provide cash directly to LGBTQ people in need. 

Psychosocial support - working with partners, we provide remote psycho-support services to affected people. This service provides pastoral care and ensures people are equipped to care for themselves during crisis.

Resettlement support - we help people to find resettlement in safe countries that protect LGBTQ+ people. The programme also provides dedicated support to LBT+ women who are at risk of experiencing gender-based violence. LBT+ women can access additional safety guidance and tech-based support such as safely accessing remote assistance via phone.

SAFAR also aims to use the knowledge and experience gained through the programme to build the capacity of other humanitarian agencies to respond to the specific needs of LGBTQ+ people in crisis zones.

Governments and organisations should help LGBTQ people financially but also help improve their mental health.

SAFAR programme participant

How we work

Stonewall works closely with ILGA Asia to deliver the SAFAR programme. SAFAR also leverages a network of humanitarian organisations to ensure services are delivered safely to affected people.

Stonewall and ILGA Asia’s expert casework team provide 1-to-1 support for people affected using our bespoke and secure case management system, developed in collaboration with Intalio.

The programme also uses experience and evidence from the frontline to advocate to governments and international bodies for support for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. You can view ILGA Asia’s work here.

You can view ILGA Asia’s work here.

Stonewall & ILGA Asia SAFAR Afghanistan Briefing 2023.