OCHA Reports Severe Aid Access Restrictions in Four Afghan Districts

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that the activities of aid agencies and their access to people in need in four districts of Afghanistan are facing “severe restrictions” — a situation that could delay the delivery of assistance or prevent some people from receiving it.

OCHA said on Sunday, 5 Mizan, that administrative and programmatic interference, along with restrictions on female staff and women receiving aid, are among the main reasons for the situation. The agency also stressed that delays in approving projects and memoranda of understanding, movement and border restrictions, and reduced funding have further limited humanitarian access.

According to the ninth round of OCHA’s Humanitarian Access Severity Mapping, the districts of Maimana in Faryab province, Mohmand Dara in Nangarhar province, and Barg-e-Matal and Kamdesh in Nuristan province have been classified as facing “severe restrictions.”

OCHA has warned that any disruption or restriction in humanitarian access makes needs assessments, aid distribution and communication between aid agencies and local communities difficult. The agency said safe and sustained access is vital to continue effective aid delivery in areas in need.