UN warns of severe Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

UN officials report Afghanistan faces severe humanitarian needs, with widespread hunger, malnutrition, water shortages, and educational restrictions, especially for girls.

Joyce Msuya, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the ongoing and severe humanitarian needs facing the people of Afghanistan. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Monday, June 23, she outlined how decades of conflict, structural poverty, climate crises, and the severe restrictions on women and girls have worsened the country’s crisis.

Msuya noted that Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is more than 2.5 times the global average, while widespread drought continues to threaten large parts of the country. She also emphasized that one in five Afghans faces hunger, and three million people are severely malnourished, with nearly 3.7 million children unable to attend school.

Among those affected by educational restrictions, Msuya pointed out that 2.2 million girls over the age of 11 are prohibited from attending school due to the Taliban’s policies. These ongoing barriers significantly impact the future of Afghanistan’s youth, especially girls, who face the brunt of the educational crisis.

Msuya also warned that Kabul may become the first capital city in modern history to face severe water shortages. She revealed that groundwater levels in Kabul have dropped by 30 meters, and nearly half of the city’s wells have run dry, exacerbating the growing water crisis.

In her remarks, Msuya stressed the vital role of Afghanistan’s women in humanitarian operations. Despite facing numerous threats and restrictions, Afghan women continue to serve on the frontlines of humanitarian aid, reaching marginalized communities that would otherwise be left without support.

Msuya further highlighted that the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has recently allocated $2.4 million to local organizations, including those often overlooked. This financial support is crucial to maintaining vital services amid ongoing challenges.

Dorothy Shea, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, also addressed the meeting, stating that the Afghanistan’s people continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, lack of basic services, and the impacts of natural disasters. She added that these issues are further aggravated by the restrictive policies of the Taliban. The international community faces a growing challenge in responding to Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.

UN warns of severe Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
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UN Envoy: Girls’ Education Ban Isolating Afghanistan from the World

Otunbayeva also reported to the UN Security Council that over 600,000 people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan so far.

The Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that the unacceptable situation of Afghan women and girls must not be forgotten.

Rosa Otunbayeva, speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, said that the ban on girls continuing their education beyond the sixth grade is isolating Afghanistan from the rest of the world.

During her address, she once again urged the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to lift the restrictions imposed on women and girls and to restore their right to education.

Otunbayeva also highlighted the tightening restrictions on the country’s media, saying, “Freedom of expression and the environment for private media have become increasingly restricted.”

Addressing the security situation, the UN representative said the overall number of security incidents in Afghanistan remains low. However, she added that neighboring countries continue to express concern about the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan.

She told the Security Council: “Overall, the number of security incidents has remained low; however, neighboring countries still express concern about the presence of ISIS-Khorasan and other groups.”

Otunbayeva also reported to the UN Security Council that over 600,000 people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan so far.

She said: “Already, more than 600,000 Afghans have returned from neighbouring Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran this year. Given the concerning developments in the Region, the UN agencies are preparing for potential cross-border movement from Iran. Returns from Iran alone in the past few days have been over 10,000 per day. Communities and the de facto authorities have made huge efforts to absorb returnees, but without international assistance, there are limits to safe, orderly and peaceful returns.”

UN Envoy: Girls’ Education Ban Isolating Afghanistan from the World
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Muttaqi Criticizes US Over Frozen Afghan Assets, Calls for Release

Muttaqi stressed that the US decision has severely disrupted the natural course of Afghanistan’s economic development.

The acting foreign minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, criticized the United States for freezing Afghanistan’s foreign reserves, calling the move illegal and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s assets.

Muttaqi stressed that the US decision has severely disrupted the natural course of Afghanistan’s economic development.

He also urged member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to fulfill their humanitarian and Islamic responsibilities by utilizing all available means to help lift the sanctions.

In his statement, Muttaqi said: “After two decades of war in Afghanistan, the US has frozen the national wealth of the Afghan people, creating major challenges for the country’s natural economic growth. I once again call on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states to ensure the release of Afghanistan’s frozen central bank assets without further delay or obstacles.”

Referring to Afghanistan’s strategic location in the heart of Asia, Muttaqi noted that the country has the potential to become a vital hub for trade and transit among Islamic nations.

He added: “Afghanistan, recognized as the heart of Asia, is ready to serve as a key gateway for transit, trade, and economic connectivity among Islamic countries. We are prepared to play a constructive role within the framework of the OIC Strategic Economic Agenda in areas such as regional connectivity, energy, logistics, and investment.”

Economic experts believe that if Afghanistan focuses on domestic production and exports during this crisis, it could ease some of the pressure resulting from international sanctions.

Economic analyst Mir Shakir Yaqubi told TOLOnews: “In order to mitigate the negative effects of sanctions and global restrictions imposed on Afghanistan, the government must fulfill certain essential responsibilities. One of these is enhancing domestic production capacities. Achieving this requires cooperation from neighboring countries so that Afghanistan can at least play an effective role in transport, transit, and global trade systems. Additionally, alongside boosting production capacities, export volumes must also be increased.”

This comes more than four years after Afghanistan’s foreign assets were frozen, with no significant steps taken by the international community thus far.

Previously, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Economy announced that Afghanistan is working to establish joint banks with China, Russia, and Iran to reduce the impact of banking sanctions.

Muttaqi Criticizes US Over Frozen Afghan Assets, Calls for Release
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UN Debates Engagement with Islamic Emirate: Mosaic Plan in Focus

China and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate.

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has introduced a new initiative called the “Mosaic Plan” during a Security Council meeting. The primary goal of this plan is to facilitate Afghanistan’s gradual integration into the international order.

Roza Otunbayeva emphasized that the UN aims to design a framework for more cohesive, coordinated, and structured engagement that enables dialogue between the international community and the Islamic Emirate without conferring formal recognition or normalizing the current situation.

Otunbayeva stated: “The Comprehensive Approach involves working groups and a mosaic of key issues. I stress the approach does not seek to normalize the status quo, but rather ensure that multiple key issues of concern – in particular upholding the country’s international obligations – remain at the core of engagement efforts.”

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said: “We welcome UN efforts, including the Doha process, aimed at structured engagement with the de facto authorities. Pakistan was among the first to call for sustained engagement and has proposed a broad road map for normalisation.”

China and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate. China’s representative urged the UN Security Council to take further steps to exempt Islamic Emirate officials from travel sanctions to facilitate interactions with the interim government.

The US representative indicated that the country’s policy toward Afghanistan is under review.

Geng Shuang, China’s representative to the United Nations, said: “The Security Council should promptly resume the general travel ban exemption for officials of the interim government of Afghanistan.”

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: “Russia supports a realistic and comprehensive approach toward Afghanistan. We have repeatedly emphasized that this approach must be based on objective analysis and balanced assessment of the situation.”

“The United States’ Afghanistan policy is currently under review. However, President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear that our focus in Afghanistan has narrowed. Protecting US citizens, including mitigating terrorist threats and securing the release of all detained Americans, are our top priorities in Afghanistan,” said Dorothy Shea, acting US Representative.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of UN Women, along with representatives from the United Kingdom and France, criticized the ongoing restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, stated: “Since I briefed the Council on Afghanistan nine months ago, the reality for Afghan women and girls has only grown more dire. Not a single restriction has been reversed. Repression has become more systematic and have calcified.”

“Since our last council briefing on Afghanistan. Another school year has begun, with secondary schools and higher education remaining closed to women and girls,” said James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN.

Qatar’s representative to the UN emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and announced that Qatar will host two Doha process working group meetings from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of Islamic Emirate representatives.

Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s representative to the UN, stated: “The State of Qatar eagerly anticipates hosting the third meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group under the UN-led Doha process on Afghanistan, scheduled from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of representatives from the interim Afghan government, countries involved in the Doha process, and technical experts.”

The UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan was held amid ongoing calls from Islamic Emirate officials for representation in such discussions.

UN Debates Engagement with Islamic Emirate: Mosaic Plan in Focus
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US House Passes Bill to Block Aid to Islamic Emirate

Representative Tim Burchett urged the US Senate to also pass the bill and send it to President Donald Trump as soon as possible.

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at prohibiting the Islamic Emirate from accessing US aid.

Representative Tim Burchett urged the US Senate to also pass the bill and send it to President Donald Trump as soon as possible.

Burchett said that the US had sent over $5 billion in cash to Kabul after the Islamic Emirate retook power.

“Defund the Taliban just passed unanimous. Thank you all so much everybody all across the country. Y’all been just incredibly supportive of this thing. It’s been over a year-long journey now. We got to get it over to the Senate … and let’s get this thing passed, $40 million a week, over $5 billion now we think has gone to the Taliban,” he said.

However, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Economy has denied interference in international humanitarian aid, stating that such assistance is delivered directly by United Nations agencies.

Abdul Rahman Habib, the ministry’s spokesperson, said: “Humanitarian assistance is a key activity for the UN, aimed at helping people during crises and reducing economic hardships. Since the beginning, it has been provided directly by UN agencies.”

On another note, economic experts have criticized the politicization of humanitarian aid and stressed that the Islamic Emirate should focus more on making the country self-reliant.

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic expert, stated: “Humanitarian aid can only alleviate extreme poverty, but it cannot eliminate it. Therefore, it is essential that both the international community and the United States continue their humanitarian support for Afghanistan to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while the Islamic Emirate must make serious efforts to create a favorable environment for attracting further investment.”

On January 11 last year, Tim Burchett introduced this bill to Congress, saying that it would require the US Department of State to develop a policy opposing any foreign aid to the Islamic Emirate.

US House Passes Bill to Block Aid to Islamic Emirate
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UN calls for protection of Afghan migrants amid Iran-Israel tensions

Khaama Press

Amid rising Tehran-Tel Aviv tensions, Bennett called for protecting vulnerable Afghan migrants in Iran from potential harm and violence.

On the ninth day of conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett urged all parties to protect Afghan migrants in Iran, warning of serious risks to their safety and calling for immediate humanitarian safeguards. The appeal came through a post on X on Saturday, June 21, where Bennett voiced growing concern over the migrant community’s safety.

Bennett emphasized that both Iran and Israel must exercise restraint and comply with international law. He warned that hostilities could threaten non-combatants and stressed the need for safeguards to protect those at heightened risk .

According to Iranian health authorities, three Afghan migrants—identified as Hafiz Bostani, Abdulwali, and Habibullah Jamshidi—have been confirmed killed in recent cross-border strikes. Their deaths have further fueled concerns about civilian casualties in the broader region.

Amid ongoing airstrikes by Israel, Afghan migrants in Iran find themselves uniquely vulnerable. Human rights observers say that migrants lack the legal protections necessary to shield them from collateral damage during military operations.

Bennett urged both Iran and Israel to ensure humanitarian safeguards are in place and emphasized that protecting civilians—including displaced migrants and refugees—must be a core priority in conflict zones.

This call from Bennett underscores the complex and evolving threats faced by Afghan migrants amid regional escalation. With the Iran–Israel conflict intensifying, experts warn host countries must urgently reinforce protections for vulnerable populations. Failure to act could result in further loss of civilian lives and exacerbate existing humanitarian crises.

UN calls for protection of Afghan migrants amid Iran-Israel tensions
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Amnesty calls on Pakistan to halt forced deportation of Afghan Refugees

Khaama Press

Amnesty International urges Pakistan to stop deporting Afghan refugees, renew PoR cards, and uphold international laws protecting those seeking safety.

Amnesty International on Friday called on Pakistan to immediately stop deporting Afghan refugees and extend their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The call was made on World Refugee Day as part of an appeal to respect international law.

The human rights group stated that Pakistan has forcibly returned over 1,080,312 Afghan refugees since October 2023. Amnesty emphasized that such deportations violate the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which protects refugees from being returned to unsafe countries.

According to Amnesty, around 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan hold PoR cards, which will expire in the next ten days. Amnesty urged the Pakistani government to renew these cards immediately to prevent further insecurity and displacement.

Amnesty warned that PoR holders face serious risks if forced to return to Afghanistan. The organization cited credible reports indicating they could face extrajudicial killings, torture, and gender-based persecution upon repatriation.

Amnesty’s report also raised concerns over the psychological and social stress experienced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan due to prolonged uncertainty. The group highlighted the need for international cooperation to resolve this humanitarian crisis.

With the Afghan refugee crisis still unfolding, Pakistan faces mounting pressure from the international community to honor its commitments to refugee protection. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has similarly urged Islamabad to allow more time for refugees to secure their legal status and safety.

Experts say that unless Pakistan extends PoR cards and halts deportations, vulnerable refugees will continue to face life-threatening dangers.

Amnesty calls on Pakistan to halt forced deportation of Afghan Refugees
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UNSC to Hold Quarterly Briefing on Afghanistan on June 23

UNSC to Hold Quarterly Briefing on Afghanistan on June 23
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Thousands of Afghans Return from Iran After Losing All Belongings

By Nasir Ahmad Salehi

TOLOnews Reporter

22 June 2025

Many said they had lived in Iran for years and had built a life there, but during their return, they were unable to bring even their household items with them.

Many Afghans returning from Iran say that due to Israeli attacks and pressure from the Iranian government, they have lost all their belongings and returned to Afghanistan empty-handed.

Many said they had lived in Iran for years and had built a life there, but during their return, they were unable to bring even their household items with them.

Zelgi, one returnee, said: “They didn’t return my house deposit, and 500 million tomans remain with the landlord. I showed the exit permit to the relevant offices and requested my money, but they said, ‘We can’t give you your Afghan money.’”

Abdul Jalil, another returnee, stated: “Our household items remained in Iran, and Iranian police took our cash, wallets, and mobile phones. We complained everywhere, but no one listened. Thousands of Afghan migrants are being held in camps, and some have lost their lives.”

Nasir Ahmad, who returned with his family from Tehran after thirteen years, set foot on Afghan soil at the Islam Qala border.

He said: “This year, the Iranian government issued us exit permits and told us to leave the country. Now that we’re back in Afghanistan, we’re left with nothing and no future.”

Local authorities in Herat say that most returning migrants left their money and assets behind in Iran, and many don’t even have enough to pay for transportation to their home provinces.

Abdul Zahir Rahmani, Deputy head of the Border Office for Refugees and Returnees in Islam Qala, said: “Migrants say they had rented homes in Iran, and when they asked for their money, they received only about 20 million tomans out of 100 million. One woman said she waited a month to get her money, but the landlord never paid.”

With the continuation of the Iran–Israel conflict and the expiration of residency permits for millions of Afghan migrants in Iran, the pace of returns has sharply increased.

According to local officials in Herat, up to 10,000 people are entering Afghanistan daily through the Islam Qala border alone.

Thousands of Afghans Return from Iran After Losing All Belongings
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Hanafi: Afghanistan Committed to Expanding Regional Economic Ties

Hanafi said that Afghanistan’s territory will not be used against any other country.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office, during his speech in China emphasized Afghanistan’s policy of non-interference and called for expanded economic relations with regional countries.

Hanafi said that Afghanistan’s territory will not be used against any other country and expects other nations to refrain from interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

Hamidullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, stated: “Afghanistan does not allow any individual or group to use its soil for threats, and it does not interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. We also expect reciprocal behavior from other nations.”

Speaking at the Ninth China–South Asia International Expo, Hanafi also called for enhanced cooperation with Beijing and South Asian countries in the fields of mining, energy, transit, technology, and trade. He stated that Afghanistan can become a connecting bridge between Central, South, and East Asia.

Economic analyst Mohammad Nabi Afghan said: “China is a highly suitable market for us, and we must directly invite them—especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, electricity, and mining. These areas are vital because without solid infrastructure and energy, and with our mines being extracted in a disorganized manner, we cannot achieve self-sufficiency. We must establish mutual agreements with China and formally request the transfer of their machinery.”

Another economic expert, Qutbuddin Yaqubi, said: “Afghanistan can leverage these expos and its geopolitical location, particularly with China as a global economic and industrial powerhouse, to play a crucial and strategic role—and gain maximum benefit from such opportunities.”

In closing, Hanafi cited general amnesty, security provision, anti-narcotics efforts, and the launch of development projects as key achievements of the caretaker government.

Hanafi: Afghanistan Committed to Expanding Regional Economic Ties
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