Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue to rise, prompting renewed concern among regional stakeholders and pushing mediation efforts into a critical phase.

With relations worsening and no signs of a breakthrough, diplomatic actors are ramping up attempts to steer both sides toward dialogue and de-escalation.

Diplomatic sources say political engagement remains the only viable path to resolving the current standoff. Qatar, Türkiye, Iran, and China have all stepped in to facilitate communication, each seeking to create conditions that could pave the way for direct talks between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan.

Iran is reportedly working to convene a dedicated regional meeting focused on jump-starting dialogue — an initiative that follows earlier mediation efforts by Qatar and Türkiye, both of which are currently on hold. China has also reiterated its support for negotiations, stating that Beijing stands ready to help ease tensions and strengthen bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is expected to host a fresh round of talks between Kabul and Islamabad in the coming weeks. Riyadh previously facilitated discussions between delegations from both countries, though those meetings ended without tangible progress.

Analysts caution that regional diplomacy, however active, can only succeed if both Kabul and Islamabad demonstrate the political will to resolve their disputes. Effective mediation, they say, could restore stability to one of South and Central Asia’s most strained bilateral relationships — but the window for a peaceful settlement may be narrowing.

Afghanistan is heading into 2026 with worsening humanitarian needs as overlapping crises continue to erode essential services and protection systems, UNICEF warned in its Humanitarian Action for Children 2026 appeal.

According to the agency, 21.9 million people — including 11.6 million children — will require humanitarian assistance next year. This comes as the country remains trapped in a cycle of natural disasters, economic instability, shrinking protection space, and climate-driven shocks, all compounding the impact of more than 40 years of conflict.

UNICEF says the protection crisis is deepening, with women of reproductive age, children, youth, and marginalized groups facing heightened risks. Women and girls remain disproportionately affected due to bans on secondary education and restrictions on employment, which the agency describes as a “systemic rights crisis” with severe long-term consequences.

The report also highlights chronic underinvestment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, made worse by recurring drought, floods, and harsh winters. These compounding pressures are undermining community resilience and increasing dependency on humanitarian aid.

To meet urgent needs and reinforce community-level systems, UNICEF is appealing for $949.1 million. The funding aims to provide life-saving support to 12 million people, including 6.5 million children, through health services, education, nutrition treatment, and safe drinking water.

Key Targets for 2026

12 million people to access healthcare in priority provinces

5.7 million children to receive emergency education support

1.3 million children (6–59 months) with severe wasting or high-risk malnutrition to receive treatment

2.9 million people to gain access to safe drinking water through UNICEF-supported programmes

UNICEF underscores that sustained support is crucial to ensuring Afghan children “have the chance to survive and thrive” despite one of the world’s most complex and protracted crises.

Afghanistan’s health sector continues to face mounting pressure as humanitarian organizations respond to rising disease outbreaks, large-scale population movements, and the lingering impact of natural disasters, according to the Afghanistan Health Cluster’s October 2025 bulletin issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite severe funding gaps and operational restrictions, 54 Health Cluster partners provided lifesaving health services to 512,679 people across all 34 provinces during the month.

Assistance was delivered through 862 health facilities in 310 districts, underscoring both the scale of need and the continued reliance on humanitarian actors to keep essential services running.

Between 1 September and 31 October, 25 Health Cluster partners supported the health response in Afghanistan’s eastern region — an area heavily affected by mass return movements from Pakistan and Iran.

In October alone, 15 partners provided health services to earthquake-affected populations, while 139,285 returnees were reached during the two-month period, including:

• 35,957 women
• 26,897 men
• 38,722 girls
• 37,659 boys

Humanitarian agencies warn that the influx of returnees, many with urgent health needs, is straining already fragile health infrastructure.

Disease outbreaks rising sharply

The bulletin highlights multiple disease outbreaks, with several conditions showing alarming increases in October:

• Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) with dehydration: 15,460 cases
• Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI)/Pneumonia: 118,090 cases and 197 deaths
• A 54.5% spike compared to September (76,430 cases)
• Measles: 3,721 cases
• Dengue fever: 1,826 cases
• Malaria: 15,253 cases (a 9.5% decrease from September’s 16,846 cases)
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF): 120 cases

Measles and ARI outbreaks remain particularly concerning amid low vaccination coverage, harsh winter conditions, and limited access to primary healthcare.

Coordination and support strengthened

To streamline humanitarian health operations, 35 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were reviewed in October, with 15 approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Approvals are crucial for NGOs to maintain legal access and operate medical facilities across the country.

Emergency supplies distributed

As part of emergency preparedness efforts, WHO delivered 951 emergency medical kits to 114 health facilities in 26 provinces, enough to support an estimated 928,050 people for the next three months.

A health system under strain

Afghanistan’s healthcare system remains heavily dependent on humanitarian aid following years of conflict, economic collapse, and reduced international funding since 2021.

Recurrent border closures, harsh winter conditions, rising displacement, and ongoing outbreaks continue to drive up humanitarian needs.

The Health Cluster warns that without sustained support, essential services — particularly maternal and child health, vaccination coverage, and emergency response — risk severe disruption.

The October bulletin underscores both the immense challenges facing Afghanistan’s health sector and the critical role aid agencies play in sustaining basic health services for millions.