UN warns of critical funding shortfall for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan

April 13, 2026

Ariana News

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The United Nations has raised alarm over a significant funding gap threatening the continuation of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, as millions remain in urgent need of support.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only $211 million—equivalent to 12.3 percent—of the required $1.7 billion for Afghanistan’s 2026 humanitarian response plan has been secured so far, leaving 87.7 percent of the funding unmet.

OCHA stressed that the scale of humanitarian needs across the country remains critically high and called on donor nations to take immediate and concrete steps to bridge the funding gap.

The agency noted that the European Commission is currently the largest donor, contributing $62.6 million, followed by the United Kingdom, the Asian Development Bank, Switzerland, and Japan. Other key contributors include Germany, Canada, Denmark, Australia, and Italy.

The report highlights that the food security and agriculture sector faces the largest funding requirement, with only $49.2 million—about 7.6 percent—of the needed $651.1 million secured. In the health sector, $29.6 million has been funded out of a required $190.8 million, while education has received 30.2 percent of its needed budget.

OCHA further warned that several critical sectors remain severely underfunded, including nutrition (2.7 percent), emergency shelter and non-food items (3.4 percent), water and sanitation (4.5 percent), and coordination and support services (7.3 percent). Meanwhile, multipurpose cash assistance has received the highest level of funding at 65.6 percent.

The UN emphasized that despite ongoing international assistance, a substantial gap persists between humanitarian needs and available resources, underscoring the urgency for increased global support to prevent a worsening crisis in Afghanistan.

UN warns of critical funding shortfall for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan
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Fear of Forced Return: Former Military Personnel of Afghanistan Living Under Threat and Uncertainty

April 13, 2026

Adrina Behzad

Hasht-e Subh Daily
April 13, 2026
Several former military personnel who fled to neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, due to security threats from the Taliban, say they fear being deported back to Afghanistan under the group’s rule. They report facing serious economic, security, and social hardships, with their children also being denied access to education. According to them, the Taliban kill, arrest, and torture former military members upon their return. Meanwhile, the head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission under the previous government warns that despite the Taliban’s declaration of a general amnesty, hundreds of cases of abuse, unlawful detention, and killing of former military personnel have been documented since the group’s return to power. She stresses that deporting former military personnel to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan violates the principles of refugee rights and international law, as it exposes them to danger,s including killing, torture, and detention.

Abdul Fattah (pseudonym), a former military member who fled to Pakistan due to security threats, says former military personnel living in Pakistan face serious economic, security, and social difficulties, with their children also denied access to education.

The former soldier adds, “The situation of former military personnel in Pakistan is extremely difficult. We have no access to work, and only a small number are working secretly to meet their basic needs. The children of former military personnel in Pakistan are also denied the right to education, and many families are struggling with visa renewals from the Pakistani government. Several former military personnel have been killed in targeted attacks even inside Pakistan. Those who are sent back to Afghanistan face grave threats, and their lives are in danger.”

Isa Laghmani, another former military member who migrated to Iran due to security threats following the Taliban’s return to power, says he cannot sleep at night and lives in fear of arrest and deportation to Afghanistan. He says, “I swear to God, I cannot sleep day or night. Sleep has become forbidden for me. I am not afraid of hard labor or working as a day laborer, but I fear that I have no residency documents. If they arrest me and send me back to Afghanistan, the Taliban will show me no mercy.”

Laghmani emphasizes that he served his country faithfully during the republic. Criticizing some former officials, he says: “Several former officials who betrayed the country handed it over to the Taliban and left for Western and European countries. They accumulated wealth over these 20 years, while the children of the poor sacrificed their lives for the country, and today no one even asks about them.”

Addressing former government officials, the former soldier says, “You sold the homeland and abandoned the soldiers on the battlefield. We gave martyrs for the homeland, we shed blood, and we made countless sacrifices. Even dry bread was barely available to us, yet we fought on the front lines and secured your safety while you lived in comfort. But in the end, you abandoned us halfway.”

Meanwhile, Shaharzad Akbar, head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) under the previous government, warns that despite the Taliban’s declaration of a general amnesty, hundreds of cases of abuse, unlawful detention, and killing of former military personnel have been documented since the group’s return to power. Stressing that deporting former military personnel constitutes a violation of refugee rights principles and international law, she says: “Our documentation shows that former military personnel face serious dangers after being returned to Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban having declared a general amnesty, we have recorded hundreds of cases of abuse, unlawful detention, and killing of former military personnel since the group retook power. In many cases, their families have also faced threats and danger. Returning these individuals violates the principles of refugee rights and international law, as it exposes them to dangers, including killing, torture, and detention. Neighboring countries, as well as the allies of the previous government, have a responsibility to protect the lives of former military personnel and to ensure their safe transfer along with their families.”

At the same time, Asif Siddiqui, former deputy speaker of the Senate of the National Assembly, describes the situation of former military personnel as deeply alarming, saying that large numbers of them have been killed and many others are being tortured in Taliban prisons. He adds: “The situation of former military personnel following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan is extremely alarming. The security threats are directed not only at the individuals themselves, but also at their families. A large number of former military personnel have been killed, and many others are being held and tortured in Taliban prisons. Former military members who have migrated to other countries also face numerous difficulties, including harsh economic conditions, visa renewal problems, and a lack of legal documentation. If these individuals are returned to Afghanistan, they will face serious threats to their lives, with a real risk of being killed or detained.”

Mr. Siddiqui warns that the Taliban have designated special units to target former officials and former military personnel. He says: “In some cases, former military personnel are killed, and these incidents are framed as personal disputes. The Taliban have even established dedicated units for targeting former officials and former military personnel. In addition, the children of these families, whether in Afghanistan or in neighboring countries, are denied the right to education and face discrimination.”

This comes as the United Nations Assistance Mission’s quarterly report, published some time ago, documented at least 14 killings and 21 cases of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, and mistreatment of former members of Afghanistan’s security and defense forces.

Since retaking Afghanistan, the Taliban have consistently arrested and imprisoned former military personnel, and in some cases have killed them.

According to findings by the Hasht-e Subh Daily, the Taliban killed approximately 110 former military personnel between 2023 and mid-2025.

Fear of Forced Return: Former Military Personnel of Afghanistan Living Under Threat and Uncertainty
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Conference in Vienna spotlights Afghanistan women’s education, rights crisis

April 12, 2026
Khaama Press

A conference in Vienna brought together Afghan and international figures to support women’s rights, highlighting urgent concerns over education restrictions in Afghanistan.

A conference titled “Solidarity of Women for Education and Self-Determination in Afghanistan” was held in Vienna, bringing together Afghan diaspora figures and Austrian officials to highlight the situation of women and girls and push for greater international support.

Participants stressed the urgent need to address restrictions on girls’ education and called for stronger cooperation between Afghan communities in exile and European institutions. The event aimed to raise awareness, strengthen solidarity, and create a platform for dialogue among activists, experts, and policymakers.

The gathering also featured specialized workshops focused on supporting girls’ education and improving the integration of Afghan women into the diaspora labor market, reflecting efforts to address both immediate and long-term challenges.

The event marked the 30th anniversary of the AKIS cultural association and the 26th anniversary of the Bano magazine, drawing participants from Europe and the United States, including cultural, social, and political figures.

Organizers said the conference was designed to amplify the voices of Afghan women and promote coordinated action at an international level.

Afghan women and girls continue to face severe restrictions, including limits on access to secondary and higher education. The conference underscored growing international concern and the need for sustained efforts to protect education and rights for Afghan women and girls.

Conference in Vienna spotlights Afghanistan women’s education, rights crisis
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UNAMA says 11 killed in attack on Shi’ite gathering in Herat

April 12, 2026
Khaama Press

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said at least 11 people were killed and 11 others wounded in a gun attack on a Shi’ite gathering in Herat, with women and children among the victims.

UNAMA said in a statement on Sunday that the attack took place on Friday, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on civilians gathered near a Shi’ite shrine in the Deh Miri area, located between Injil and Zinda Jan districts.

Georgette Gagnon expressed condolences to the victims’ families, describing the incident as a “horrific crime” and wishing a swift recovery for those injured.

She called on the Taliban authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the protection of all civilians across Afghanistan against armed violence.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Taliban officials have not yet publicly commented on the incident, raising concerns about accountability and security.

Attacks targeting Shi’ite communities in Afghanistan have occurred repeatedly in recent years, often blamed on extremist groups, increasing fears among minority populations.

Rights organizations, including Rawadari, have previously reported that killings of civilians in Herat were “targeted and organized,” while also citing lack of transparency in casualty reporting.

The latest attack underscores ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan, highlighting urgent calls for protection of minorities and credible investigations into violence against civilians.

UNAMA says 11 killed in attack on Shi’ite gathering in Herat
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UN expert calls for probe into deadly attack on Shiite civilians in western Afghanistan

April 11, 2026
Khaama Press

A UN expert has called for an independent investigation into a deadly attack on Shiite civilians in Herat, urging accountability for those responsible.

Richard Bennett has called for an independent investigation into a deadly armed attack targeting Shiite civilians in Injil district of Herat, describing the incident as deeply concerning and requiring urgent accountability.

He said the attack, which left several civilians dead and wounded, must be strongly condemned and thoroughly investigated, stressing that those responsible should be identified and brought to justice.

The call comes after gunmen opened fire on civilians gathered in the Deh Mirai area, in an incident that local authorities said killed at least 11 people, although exact casualty figures remain unclear.

The attack targeted civilians who had gathered for leisure, highlighting ongoing risks faced by minority communities in parts of western Afghanistan.

No group has claimed responsibility so far, but similar attacks in recent years have often targeted Shiite communities, raising concerns about recurring patterns of violence.

Herat has seen repeated attacks on minority groups, with previous incidents linked to militant groups targeting Shiite civilians.

The latest attack underscores persistent security challenges and the urgent need for accountability to prevent further violence against vulnerable communities.

UN expert calls for probe into deadly attack on Shiite civilians in western Afghanistan
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Afghan female students in Pakistan face deportation risk as visa renewals stall

April 11, 2026
Khaama Press

Afghan female students in Pakistan say they are increasingly worried about forced deportation and visa renewals, as authorities intensify crackdowns on undocumented migrants.

Many report that even after repeated applications, visa extensions are being rejected, leaving them at risk of arrest and removal despite being enrolled in universities.

Students describe growing fear and anxiety, especially among those who travelled back to Afghanistan during holidays and are now unable to return due to expired visas. They say the worsening situation has forced many to remain confined to hostels or campuses, fearing detention by police if they move outside freely.

Several students report rising costs and long delays in visa processing, with some waiting over a year without approval. Cases of detention due to misunderstandings have also been reported, reinforcing concerns that, despite no formal ban on education, practical barriers continue to disrupt their studies and daily lives.

Education activists warn that Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan students may contradict its obligations under international conventions, particularly regarding the right to education, protection from arbitrary detention, and due legal process in deportation cases.

Since the return of the Taliban and restrictions on women’s education in Afghanistan, many girls have been forced to leave the country to continue their studies, with Pakistan becoming a key destination despite limited legal protections.

Afghanistan continues to face a deep humanitarian crisis, with severe limits on women’s rights, education bans, and economic hardship, making forced returns particularly dangerous for female students.

As deportation pressures rise and visa uncertainty persists, Afghan female students in Pakistan remain caught between restrictive policies of Taliban at home and growing insecurity abroad, with their education and future increasingly at risk.

Afghan female students in Pakistan face deportation risk as visa renewals stall
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Etihad to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service from May 1

April 10, 2026
Khaama Press

Etihad Airways will operate daily flights between Kabul and Abu Dhabi from May 1, 2026, responding to rising demand and improving global travel connectivity.

Etihad Airways has announced plans to increase its Kabul–Abu Dhabi service to daily flights starting May 1, 2026, citing a sharp rise in passenger demand. The move comes just weeks after the airline resumed operations on the route, reflecting growing travel needs between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the airline said the decision follows strong market response and higher-than-expected bookings. The Kabul–Abu Dhabi route has quickly gained traction among travelers seeking reliable international connections amid limited flight options from Afghanistan.

Etihad first relaunched flights between Kabul and Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026, initially operating four weekly services. The rapid shift to daily flights underscores the commercial viability of the route and signals confidence in sustained passenger growth.

Airline officials noted that the route is fast becoming a key air link between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, supporting both business and personal travel. They emphasized that expanding frequency will improve flexibility and convenience for passengers traveling between the two countries.

The introduction of daily flights is also expected to enhance onward connectivity, allowing passengers from Kabul to access major global destinations including London, Frankfurt, Toronto, and Washington through Abu Dhabi, strengthening Afghanistan’s links to Europe and North America.

Etihad to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service from May 1
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Naeem Says Pakistan Security Stance Stalled China-Hosted Talks

April 9, 2026
Khaama Press

A senior Taliban foreign ministry official said Pakistan’s insistence on raising its internal security concerns caused China-hosted talks between the two sides to end without a breakthrough.

Mohammad Naeem Wardak said Islamabad was trying to shift responsibility for its domestic security failures onto Afghanistan, hardening the Taliban’s public tone after a week of diplomacy in China.

Wardak described Pakistan’s position as “unreasonable,” saying Islamabad wanted to export its internal problems instead of addressing them at home. His remarks reflect Kabul’s long-running rejection of Pakistani accusations that the Taliban are sheltering militants behind attacks inside Pakistan, especially fighters linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.

The talks between Taliban and Pakistani delegations ended in Urumqi after about a week without any announced agreement, despite Chinese efforts to lower tensions. China said officials from foreign affairs, defence and security institutions of the three sides met from April 1 to 7 and held what Beijing called candid and pragmatic discussions.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the meetings were held in a “sound atmosphere” and focused on problem-solving and practical steps. She said both the Taliban and Pakistan appreciated China’s mediation and agreed to keep working toward reducing tensions while avoiding moves that could further complicate the situation.

But the absence of a concrete outcome underlined how far apart the two sides remain on the core dispute of militancy and cross-border violence. Pakistan continues to demand verifiable Taliban action against armed groups it says use Afghan territory to launch attacks, while Kabul insists the insecurity is rooted inside Pakistan itself.

The Urumqi process followed months of unusually intense fighting and diplomatic strain between the two neighbours, marking their most serious confrontation since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. China stepped in as mediator after repeated clashes, border closures and military escalation threatened to push relations into a deeper regional crisis.

Beijing has strong reasons to prevent a wider breakdown, including border stability, regional trade and fears that militancy could spill into western China. For Pakistan, the talks were also part of a broader attempt to ease pressure on multiple fronts as it confronts insurgent violence, border insecurity and diplomatic strain in the region.

The latest exchange shows that while China may have reopened a diplomatic channel, the political mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad remains deep. Without movement on the security file, the Urumqi talks may have reduced immediate escalation, but they did little to resolve the conflict driving the crisis

Naeem Says Pakistan Security Stance Stalled China-Hosted Talks
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CSTO warns of persistent security threats from Afghanistan

April 9, 2026
Khaama Press

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) said potential threats and security risks emanating from Afghanistan territory remain high, after officials and regional representatives met in Moscow to review the situation in Afghanistan.

The warning came at the 43rd meeting of the Afghanistan working group under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, held on Wednesday at the organization’s secretariat.

The meeting brought together delegations from CSTO member states as well as representatives from the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CIS anti-terror bodies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Participants exchanged views on Afghanistan’s military, political and humanitarian situation and discussed its implications for regional stability.

In a statement, the CSTO said participants stressed the need to continue humanitarian and economic support for the people of Afghanistan despite persistent instability. Officials also backed continued monitoring of developments in Afghanistan and called for efforts to encourage peaceful processes and reduce the risk of wider regional spillover.

The Moscow meeting reflects continuing concern among Central Asian and Russian-led security institutions that instability inside Afghanistan could affect neighboring countries. The CSTO has repeatedly warned in recent years that extremist and militant groups operating in or around Afghanistan could exploit weak governance, porous borders and regional tensions.

The concern is not only military but also strategic, as countries bordering Afghanistan remain worried about cross-border militancy, trafficking and the movement of armed groups. Regional security organizations have increasingly coordinated their assessments, especially as Afghanistan remains outside formal regional security frameworks while still influencing them heavily.

At the same time, international organizations continue to warn that Afghanistan’s internal fragility is being compounded by humanitarian and economic strain. The United Nations says millions remain dependent on aid, while reduced international funding and the return of large numbers of Afghans from neighboring countries have added new pressure to an already fragile environment.

The CSTO has long viewed Afghanistan as one of the main external security concerns for its Central Asian members, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. That concern has only sharpened since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, even though large-scale regional spillover has so far remained limited.

The latest CSTO warning suggests that, despite no immediate regional crisis, Afghanistan remains at the center of overlapping security and humanitarian concerns. For Moscow and its allies, the challenge is now to contain risks without allowing Afghanistan’s instability to further unsettle Central Asia.

CSTO warns of persistent security threats from Afghanistan
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Ben Roberts-Smith arrested: former Australian soldier charged with five war crime murders in Afghanistan

April 9, 2026
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Roberts-Smith previously failed in his attempt to sue three newspapers which published allegations he murdered unarmed civilians and bullied comrades

Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested at Sydney airport and charged with war crimes.

The Australian federal police and the Office of the Special Investigator announced details of the investigation in Sydney on Tuesday after midday.

They said Roberts-Smith was expected to be charged with “five counts of war crime – murder”, in relation to three incidents. The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.

He was subsequently charged and was due to appear in bail court on Wednesday. He spent Tuesday night in a cell at Silverwater prison where it was understood he had a cell to himself.

The Victoria Cross recipient was previously found in a defamation suit – using the civil standard of the balance of probabilities – to have murdered unarmed civilians while serving in the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) in Afghanistan. Roberts-Smith has denied any wrongdoing.

The three incidents allegedly involved Afghan nationals being shot dead by Roberts-Smith, or a subordinate under his control, while he was present, the AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, said on Tuesday.

Guardian Australia understands the charges relate to allegations that Roberts-Smith was involved in the deaths of two Afghan males at a location known as Whiskey 108 in Kakarak in 2009, and the death of a man named Ali Jan in 2012 in Darwan. The third incident relates to the deaths of two civilians at Syahchow in 2012.

The federal court found to the lower civil standard that Roberts-Smith kicked Ali Jan in the chest, sending him falling backwards over a cliff before he landed on the ground. The court found that Roberts-Smith then ordered another soldier to shoot him dead.

Barrett, who did not name Roberts-Smith, said it would be alleged that the 47-year-old was involved in the death of Afghan nationals between 2009 and 2012 in circumstances that constituted war crimes.

“It will be alleged the victims were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their alleged murder in Afghanistan,” she said.

“It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed and were under the control of ADF members when they were killed.”

Barrett confirmed Roberts-Smith was arrested at the domestic terminal after travelling from Brisbane to Sydney on Tuesday morning. She would not comment when asked whether it was suspected he was due to board an international flight.\

The director of investigations at the Office of the Special Investigator, Ross Barnett, said the probe started in 2021.

He said it was a “careful and professional investigation under challenging circumstances … the seriousness of these charges has deserved nothing less”.

Barnett added that, given the difficulty in even speaking to people in Afghanistan, those affected by the alleged murders may not be aware there had been an arrest.

“The challenge for investigators is that … we are 9,000km [away]. The challenge for investigators is that because we can’t go to the country, we don’t have access to the crime scene. So we don’t have photographs, site plans, measurements, the recovery of projectiles, or blood spatter analysis.

“All of the things that we would normally get at a crime scene. There’s no postmortem. Therefore, there’s no official cause of death. So there are a lot of practical challenges that confront the investigators.”

Roberts-Smith, once lionised as the country’s most decorated Afghanistan veteran, sued three newspapers over allegations he committed war crimes, murdered unarmed civilians and bullied his comrades.

In the long-running and expensive defamation trial, which he lost, a judge found on the balance of probabilities that he committed four murders while serving in the Australian military.

Roberts-Smith appealed to the full bench of the federal court but lost, and the high court refused to hear a further appeal.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, refused to comment on Tuesday.

“I have no intention of prejudicing a matter that clearly is a legal matter, and that’s before the courts, and any comment would do so,” the prime minister told reporters in Canberra.

Roberts-Smith, a former SAS corporal, was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous gallantry” during the battle of Tizak in 2010.

He was named father of the year and served as chair of the government’s Australia Day council.

But in 2017 and 2018, the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Canberra Times published a series of articles that alleged he engaged in war crimes, including murdering civilians, and ordering subordinate soldiers under his command to execute civilians in so-called “blooding” incidents.

Roberts-Smith sued the newspapers, telling the court their stories portrayed him as a criminal “who broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement” and “disgraced” his country and its army.

The newspapers defended their reporting as true, including its allegations that Roberts-Smith was complicit in murder.

The most high-profile allegation proven in court was that Roberts-Smith, on a mission to the southern Afghan village of Darwan in 2012, marched a handcuffed Ali Jan to the edge of a 10-metre high precipice that dropped to a dry riverbed below.

Ali Jan survived the fall, though he was badly injured, and was trying to get to his feet when the Australian soldiers, having walked down a diagonal footpad cut across the cliff, reached him.

Roberts-Smith ordered a soldier under his command, known before the court as Person 11, to shoot Ali Jan dead, an order that was followed, the court found. Ali Jan’s body was then dragged to a nearby field.

The other major allegation concerned a raid on a bombed-out compound code-named Whiskey 108 in 2009.

Two men were found hiding in the tunnel: one, an elderly man, the other a younger man with a prosthetic leg. The men came out of the tunnel unarmed and surrendered.

Justice Anthony Besanko found that Roberts-Smith ordered a junior soldier on his patrol to execute the older man, before he forcibly manhandled the disabled man outside the walls of the compound, where he threw him to the ground and fired his para minimi machine gun into his prone body, killing him.

The disabled man’s prosthetic leg was later souvenired by another soldier and used by Australian SAS troops as a macabre celebratory drinking vessel at their on-base bar, the Fat Ladies’ Arms.

The Australian War Memorial on Tuesday said it would “review the wording of the interpretive panel” associated with a display of Roberts-Smith’s uniform, equipment and medals.

“The memorial will continue to monitor developments and consider updates as appropriate,” it said in a statement.

Former Australian SAS soldier Oliver Schulz was charged in early 2023 with murdering an Afghan man in a war crime.

Ben Roberts-Smith arrested: former Australian soldier charged with five war crime murders in Afghanistan
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