Russia voices concern over Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, urges return of frozen assets

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has expressed concern over what she described as the “difficult humanitarian situation” in Afghanistan, citing high infant mortality rates and the spread of polio.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Zakharova said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 21 polio cases were recorded between 2025 and 2026 in areas between Afghanistan’s and Pakistan.

She claimed that Afghan children under the age of 10 had limited access to vaccination, saying only 5–7% had been vaccinated. Zakharova also highlighted Afghanistan’s neonatal mortality rate, saying it stood at 33.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, which she described as nearly twice the global average.

She said infant deaths in Afghanistan were mainly linked to premature births and insufficient access to breast milk or nutritional substitutes.

Zakharova blamed what she called the “politicization of international humanitarian assistance” by Western countries for the humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan. She criticized US and allies sanctions against Kabul, saying they affected the most vulnerable segments of Afghan society, particularly children and newborns.

“International funding for humanitarian programs in Afghanistan is declining,” Zakharova said, adding that the freezing of Afghan banking assets had limited the government’s ability to finance crisis response measures.

She called on Western countries to return Afghanistan’s frozen assets and stop what she described as the “artificial politicization” of humanitarian aid to the country.

Zakharova added that Russia would continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghans, including through relevant international organizations.