UN Warns of Deepening Humanitarian Crisis and Media Clampdown in Afghanistan

Georgette Gagnon, Acting Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told a recent UN Security Council meeting that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, is deteriorating and requires urgent international attention.

She stated that more than 23 million Afghans currently need humanitarian aid, a number that has grown in recent months. According to Gagnon, a lack of resources and restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration have made it increasingly difficult to deliver aid to those in need.

Gagnon also noted that pressure on media outlets in Afghanistan is mounting, further shrinking the space for journalists and media organizations to operate freely. She called on the international community to maintain humanitarian engagement while increasing support for freedom of expression and the rights of the Afghan people.

Her remarks come amid repeated warnings from media watchdogs about the critical state of press freedom under the Taliban’s restrictive policies. Experts stress that the ongoing pressure not only limits public access to information but also significantly undermines trust in the information flow.