The suspension of U.S. aid has disrupted Afghanistan’s humanitarian operations, leaving millions without healthcare and risking a worsening crisis.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the suspension of U.S. funding has had devastating consequences for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, leaving over 1.6 million people without access to essential healthcare services.

According to OCHA’s latest report released on Thursday, May 22, 188 health centers across Afghanistan were forced to shut down by the end of February 2025 due to funding shortages. This closure has deprived more than 1.6 million individuals of crucial health services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

The report also highlights that approximately 1,700 female health workers and demining staff lost their jobs as a result of the funding cuts. The layoffs have had a particularly harsh impact on women and their families, further exacerbating gender-based vulnerabilities under the current economic and political conditions in the country.

In 2024 alone, the U.S. provided $735.7 million—about 47% of the total humanitarian budget for Afghanistan—making it the largest donor. This support enabled humanitarian agencies to deliver at least one form of life-saving assistance to 20.4 million Afghans, including comprehensive aid to 3.4 million people, 29% of whom were women.

However, the abrupt halt in U.S. funding for 2025 has disrupted procurement cycles and preparedness activities ahead of seasonal emergencies. OCHA cautions that without alternative funding to fill this gap, millions could be pushed toward hunger and deprivation.

OCHA urged the international community to step in and fill the funding void. “The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire,” the report stated, “and without timely support, the cost in human suffering will be immeasurable.”

Multiple aid organizations, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have echoed similar concerns in recent months, underscoring the need for sustained funding and access to ensure aid delivery amid mounting needs and operational challenges.