UN Chief Calls for $1.71 Billion to Aid 17.5 Million in Afghanistan Amid Escalating Crises

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced in his latest report to the Security Council that $1.71 billion is needed to implement the “Afghanistan 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan”. This funding aims to provide essential and life-saving assistance to 17.5 million people out of 21.9 million individuals in need.

Guterres emphasized that despite some relative stability observed in Afghanistan, humanitarian, political, and economic crises continue to deepen. Reduced international aid, the mass return of refugees from neighboring countries, natural disasters, and regional trade challenges have increased pressures on the livelihoods of the country’s residents.

The report highlights a rise in conflicts along both sides of the Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to the United Nations, intensified artillery shelling, airstrikes, and drone activities have caused civilian casualties and significant damage to people’s property.

The Secretary-General also cited findings from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stating that following the enforcement of the poppy cultivation ban in 2023, nationwide cultivation dramatically declined. However, cultivation has shifted from southwestern areas to parts of northeastern Afghanistan.

The report explicitly condemns restrictions imposed on women and girls as human rights violations, stressing that these limitations hinder Afghanistan’s normal engagement with the international system. The ongoing ban on education for girls beyond the sixth grade was criticized, and the Taliban administration was urged to lift this restriction promptly.

The United Nations warned that the ban on women’s employment has also impacted humanitarian activities, calling for work permits to be issued to female staff to ensure uninterrupted aid delivery.

Additionally, the widespread return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries represents a major challenge. The report notes that many returnees face severe difficulties related to housing, employment, and identity documentation. This situation underscores the need for effective planning and response by the Taliban government in cooperation with the international community.