DEMAC: The Role of the Afghan Diaspora in Emergency and Recovery Efforts
October, 2025
Following the devastating 2023 Herat earthquake, this study—conducted by Samuel Hall in partnership with DEMAC (Diaspora Emergency Action and Coordination)—examines how Afghan diaspora networks mobilised swiftly to deliver life-saving assistance and support recovery. It highlights how diaspora-led funding, often channelled through trusted personal networks and informal systems such as Hawala, plays a crucial role in bridging humanitarian gaps where formal actors have limited reach.
The findings affirm the diaspora’s unique position as both financiers and connectors—amplifying the work of local charities and communities in times of crisis. Yet, the study also identifies systemic barriers, from a lack of formal recognition and trust between actors to opaque financial infrastructures and bureaucratic hurdles that slow collaboration. In the study, Samuel Hall also provides strategic recommendations to strengthen future responses.
Read the full report here
