Despite what it called a humanitarian “disaster” in Afghanistan, the U.S. said on Monday international assistance to the country should be evaluated, given IEA “intransigence” and ​its exclusion of the female population from basic rights.

Speaking to a ‌U.N. Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, noted that the budget for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the mandate of which is ​up for renewal next week, is the largest of any special U.N. ​mission in the world.

“In light of the Taliban’s (IEA) intransigence, we must ⁠carefully evaluate the utility of international assistance and engagement in Afghanistan,” Waltz said, ​even as he highlighted an ongoing “humanitarian disaster” there.

“This council must consider carefully the ​funds we collectively provide for this mission’s budget, when the mission’s female national staff are not even able to go into the office to work,” he added.

The Islamic Emirate has previously said that its policies on women are based on the Islamic law.

Afghanistan faces one ​of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.

According to the U.N. World Food Programme, ​more than 17 million Afghans – or one-third of the population – are facing acute food shortages, ‌including 4.7 ⁠million facing emergency levels of hunger.

The temporary head of UNAMA, Georgette Gagnon, told the meeting Afghanistan had “urgent” humanitarian needs and the humanitarian crisis there had worsened due to funding cuts. She said humanitarian agencies aimed to assist 17.5 million Afghans ​in 2026 through an ​appeal for $1.71 billion, ⁠but this was currently only 10% funded.

Gagnon said Afghanistan’s nearly two-week conflict with Pakistan had had “punishing human and economic costs” ​and the Iran war on its other border was causing ​prices of ⁠basic commodities to rise.

She said some positive developments showed the value of international engagement, including the IEA ban on opium poppy cultivation. She warned that if rights and ⁠humanitarian issues ​were not dealt with, Afghanistan could “once again become ​a driver of regional and global instability in the form of outmigration, terrorism, narcotics and more.”

The United Nations has expressed concern over a potential increase in Afghan migrants returning from Iran, warning that many could face heightened vulnerability upon arrival in Afghanistan.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said its primary concern remains the safety and protection of Afghan returnees, particularly as regional tensions continue to affect migrant communities.

According to the agency, there has not yet been a significant rise in the number of Afghans returning from Iran despite ongoing instability and conflict in the wider region. However, UNHCR said it is preparing for the possibility of a sudden influx.

The agency noted that contingency measures are already being put in place at key border crossings, including Islam Qala, to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be delivered quickly if return numbers increase.

UNHCR said it is currently providing a range of support services for Afghans returning from Iran, including cash assistance, protection services, temporary shelter, healthcare and registration.

Deputy UNHCR spokesperson Faramarz Barzin said the organization is closely monitoring the situation while prioritizing the protection of vulnerable returnees.

“Our primary concern continues to be the safety and protection of Afghan returnees, who are particularly vulnerable under the current circumstances,” Barzin said.

 “Although we have not yet observed a significant increase in returns from Iran, UNHCR is actively preparing for the possibility of a rise in arrivals.”

He added that precautionary measures are already underway at major border crossings, particularly at Islam Qala, to ensure rapid assistance if the number of returnees grows.

The warning comes as humanitarian organizations report continued forced or pressured returns of Afghan migrants from both Iran and Pakistan, a trend that could further strain Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian situation.

UNHCR said it is working closely with international partners to monitor developments and adapt its response to meet the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, children and people at heightened risk.

Many Afghan migrants return under pressure from host countries or due to fears linked to regional tensions. Once back in Afghanistan, many face significant challenges, including poverty, unemployment and a lack of adequate housing.