KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported the temporary suspension of 83 aid projects in September 2024 alone, citing significant interference by the Taliban.
The report, released on October 22, highlights 173 incidents that impeded humanitarian operations in September. This marks a 31% increase from the previous month and a 66% rise compared to the same time last year.
According to OCHA, 98% of these disruptions were linked to Taliban actions, with the southern, eastern, and western regions experiencing the most severe impact. The suspended projects stemmed from various forms of Taliban interference, including violence against aid workers, obstruction of aid delivery, and restrictions on staff movements.
A major issue highlighted by the report is the Taliban’s enforcement of their “morality law,” issued by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in August this year. The law has led to further restrictions on female aid workers and the blocking of aid intended for women. In 47 reported incidents, the Taliban imposed social and behavioral regulations, including workspace segregation, dress code enforcement, and threats to female staff, significantly hampering the provision of essential services.
OCHA also noted that two humanitarian facilities were temporarily closed and one project had to be relocated, illustrating the far-reaching impact of Taliban directives, including the confiscation of aid and obstruction of services for women.
The escalating crisis comes as Afghanistan, already plagued by economic collapse and widespread poverty, remains heavily reliant on international aid.
Before the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, Afghanistan relied on nearly $8 billion in foreign aid annually. Since then, international funding has drastically declined, with many nations cutting or halting aid due to concerns over the Taliban’s human rights violations, among other things.
As the Taliban tightens its control over aid operations, international aid organizations face increasing challenges in delivering critical support to millions of Afghans. According to the UN, an estimated 23.7 million people are reportedly in need of humanitarian assistance this year, 52% of whom are children and 25% women.
Humanitarian agencies are grappling with one of the most severe funding shortfalls in recent years. According to the UN, its $3.07 billion humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan remains significantly underfunded, with only 25% of the required funds secured to date.
