OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has recently declared Afghanistan, under the rule of the interim government, as one of the five “dangerous” places globally for aid workers.
In a statement released today (Monday, August 29), the organization noted that despite a decrease in conflict since August 2021 in Afghanistan, the restrictions imposed on women and girls by the current government have posed serious challenges for humanitarian staff.
OCHA’s statement reads: “The restrictive measures of the interim government targeting women and girls limit their access to education, social life, services, and employment, including humanitarian work, creating significant barriers. Humanitarian workers must constantly navigate these challenges to continue their efforts.”
The UN humanitarian coordination office emphasized that currently, over 35,000 staff from international aid organizations are working in various sectors in the country, including education, health, mine clearance, and food assistance.
OCHA added that during 2023, international staff provided services to 32.1 million people in Afghanistan.
Furthermore, it mentioned that during this period, 26.3 million people received food and livelihood assistance, 16.5 million benefited from health and medical services, and 9.9 million accessed safe drinking water services.
The UN humanitarian coordination office also stated that last year, 5.7 million children and pregnant or breastfeeding women received nutritional support, 3.5 million children received protective services, 2 million children received educational services, and 1 million children received emergency shelter and non-food items.
According to information from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, aid organizations are set to assist 17.3 million individuals in need across various sectors this year.
This international agency has once again warned about the lack of sufficient funding for providing aid to those in need in the country.
It is worth mentioning that just a few days ago, this international organization also announced that Afghanistan under the control of the interim government is facing a “severe humanitarian crisis.”
