Connect with us

Latest News

Afghanistan aid response at breaking point, $1.4b funding gap

Only 53 percent of the $3.06 billion required for the 2024 response had been secured by May 2025, leaving a $1.43 billion gap that threatens to carry over into the current year.

Published

on

humanitarian crisis afghanistan

Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis is at risk of worsening this year, as aid agencies warn of a severe funding shortfall that could derail efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to millions across the country.

According to the Inter-Cluster Coordination Team (ICCT), only 53 percent of the $3.06 billion required for the 2024 response had been secured by May 2025, leaving a $1.43 billion gap that threatens to carry over into the current year.

The shortfall has already impacted the ability of humanitarian partners to meet basic needs across sectors such as health, water and sanitation (WASH), shelter, and protection.

While 2024 saw 22.4 million people reached with at least one form of assistance—exceeding the 17.3 million target—the response remained heavily skewed toward food aid, with 67 percent of beneficiaries receiving food, often in reduced rations and fewer rounds.

“The scope of need far outpaces the resources available,” said a senior humanitarian official in Kabul. “This level of underfunding is not just a budget issue—it is a direct threat to lives.”

Despite efforts to scale up delivery in Afghanistan’s most vulnerable areas—reaching 129 percent of the planned population in high-severity districts—only 3.1 million people received sustained, multi-sectoral support in any given month. This figure represents just 41 percent of the 7.6 million targeted for intersectoral assistance.

2025 Response at Risk

With the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan still underfunded, agencies warn that service delivery may deteriorate further, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare, sanitation, and emergency shelter. Clusters like WASH and Health, each aiming to reach over 10 million people, remain especially underfunded, raising concerns about rising malnutrition rates, disease outbreaks, and preventable deaths.

The funding deficit has been exacerbated by reduced international attention, competing global crises, and operational constraints inside Afghanistan—including restrictions on female aid workers and limited humanitarian access in some regions.

Call for Urgent Action

Humanitarian leaders are calling on donors to urgently step up financial commitments for 2025, warning that without swift action, progress made in 2024 could quickly unravel.

“Millions are depending on this aid to survive,” said an ICCT coordinator. “Without adequate funding, we cannot maintain critical services, let alone expand them.”

As Afghanistan enters yet another year of overlapping crises—including economic collapse, climate-related shocks, and mass displacement—the stakes for bridging the humanitarian funding gap have never been higher.

Latest News

OIC and UNICEF discuss expanding humanitarian and development cooperation in Afghanistan

According to the OIC Kabul Mission, the meeting took place at their office in Kabul on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Published

on

The Director General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Mission in Kabul, Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Saeed Alayyash, has met with UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, Tajudeen Oyewale, to discuss humanitarian and development cooperation.

According to the OIC Kabul Mission, the meeting took place at their office in Kabul on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and discussed areas of shared concern.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining engagement and strengthening cooperation between the OIC and UNICEF in addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and development priorities.

The meeting reflects continued engagement between international organisations working on humanitarian and development issues in Afghanistan.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Afghanistan publishes 20 new laws and dozens of legal documents over five years

The documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.

Published

on

The Progress website, affiliated with the Government Media Centre, has reported that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice has published 20 laws and dozens of other legislative documents in 31 issues of the Official Gazette since the Islamic Emirate returned to power.

According to the published figures, the documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.

Among the laws published over the past five years are legislation on preventing land grabbing, hearing complaints, the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, money changers and monetary services, as well as preventing the smuggling of food products and medicines.

The report highlights the Ministry of Justice’s legislative activities and the publication of legal documents through Afghanistan’s Official Gazette during the past five years.

Continue Reading

Latest News

UN pledges to expand cooperation with Afghanistan as over 8 million migrants return home

Rabab said the United Nations intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan in several areas, alongside coordinating humanitarian assistance.

Published

on

Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has met with Rabab Fatima, the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, and her accompanying delegation to discuss humanitarian assistance, economic development and the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants.

During the meeting, Rabbah expressed her satisfaction at having the opportunity to serve the people of Afghanistan. She also spoke positively about development projects carried out in the country by the Islamic Emirate and expressed hope that efforts to promote economic growth and reconstruction would continue.

Rabab said the United Nations intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan in several areas, alongside coordinating humanitarian assistance. These include providing alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers, creating employment opportunities and expanding assistance to returning migrants.

She also praised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to address the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants, describing the management of their return as one of Afghanistan’s major challenges.

For his part, Hanafi said more than eight million Afghan migrants have returned to the country, adding that the Islamic Emirate would use all available resources to support them and address their needs.

He further called on relevant institutions to strengthen efforts to protect the rights of returnees, create employment opportunities and provide adequate shelter.

The meeting comes amid ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges in Afghanistan, with support for returning migrants and expanded international cooperation remaining key priorities.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2026 Ariana News. All rights reserved!