UN Completes Accountability and Protection Mission in Afghanistan’s Earthquake-Hit Kunar Province

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Afghanistan has announced the completion of a two-week mission aimed at strengthening accountability to affected populations (AAP) and the protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH) in Kunar province. The mission took place from November 2 to 13 in areas impacted by recent earthquakes.

AVAAZ, a coordination body, played a leading role in organizing and implementing the mission’s activities. Special emphasis was placed on holding ‘women-to-women’ meetings, enabling women and girls in earthquake-affected zones to access accurate information and report potential risks through secure and stable channels.

Kunar, a mountainous province in eastern Afghanistan, is one of the regions most vulnerable to natural disasters, including the recent severe earthquakes. In the aftermath of the quake, the need for reliable information and effective mechanisms for submitting complaints and feedback has become increasingly vital.

In the absence of a national accountability system, initiatives like this aim to fill gaps left by the Taliban administration’s shortcomings. Critics argue the lack of transparency and absence of support mechanisms for victims of abuse under Taliban control have greatly undermined the efficiency of service delivery. International organizations are turning to local initiatives to help address these deficiencies.