Dina Titus, Representative of Nevada, and Gregory Meeks, Democratic Member of Congress from New York, have criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to close the Afghan Refugee Resettlement and Relocation Office in the United States, calling it “shameful.”

On Wednesday, February 19, both Democratic representatives responded to reports about the closure of the Afghan refugee resettlement office. Titus, in a tweet, said, “Trump is turning his back on those who risked everything to stand with the U.S., and that is shameful.”

Titus further mentioned that the office had worked to resettle many Afghans who faced security threats and the “Taliban’s danger.” She emphasized the vital role the office played in helping these individuals find safety.

Gregory Meeks, the Democratic Congressman from New York, also stressed that “it is crucial for America’s credibility to remain faithful to our commitment to the Afghans who fought alongside us.”

Recently, Reuters reported, citing sources, that officials at the Afghan relocation office had been warned to prepare for its closure in April 2025. If this happens, at least 200,000 eligible Afghan refugees will be barred from relocating to the U.S.

Meanwhile, Shawn VanDiver, President and Founder of the Afghan Evacuation Support Group “Afghan Evac,” stated that the U.S. State Department is considering plans for the permanent closure of the Afghan resettlement office. However, no final decision has been made yet regarding its closure.

VanDiver referred to the U.S. decision as “a national disgrace” and “a betrayal of Afghan allies,” insisting that the U.S. must honor its commitment to the Afghan veterans who fought for them.

This decision has sparked widespread criticism among U.S. lawmakers and refugee advocates. The closure of the Afghan resettlement office could have severe consequences for thousands of vulnerable refugees, undermining the promises made by the U.S. to its Afghan allies.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced that Afghanistan is one of the countries with the highest levels of contamination from landmines and unexploded ordnance.

On Wednesday, February 19, the ICRC wrote on its X page that it has launched various support programs to raise public awareness about the dangers of mines and unexploded munitions.

The Red Cross Committee added that in 2024, it has informed 243,000 people in five regions of Afghanistan about the dangers of mines and explosive materials.

Previously, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan announced that 55 civilians are killed or injured every month in Afghanistan due to explosions from explosive materials.

Meanwhile,, the demining organization “Halo Trust” reported that contamination from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan has reached over 65 square kilometers.

The organization also emphasized that by the end of 2022, this figure was around 53 square kilometers, and to date, contamination has been identified in 26 provinces of Afghanistan.

These alarming figures highlight the ongoing challenges Afghanistan faces due to war-related remnants, posing a serious threat to public safety and hindering recovery efforts. Continued efforts in awareness and demining are crucial for reducing the risk and ensuring safer environments for civilians.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that the Taliban’s restrictions on women have caused long-term harm to Afghanistan’s society. The organization emphasized the urgent need to address these issues.

On Tuesday, February 18, UNAMA shared an image of Roza Otunbayeva, its head, at a meeting organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The office stressed that more constructive discussions are needed regarding the situation of Afghanistan’s women.

UNAMA highlighted that restrictions on education, employment, and healthcare access have had severe long-term consequences for Afghanistan. These limitations continue to impact women’s lives and the country’s overall development.

The organization further stated that meaningful participation of women in these key areas is urgently needed. Excluding women from these sectors prevents social and economic progress and deepens the humanitarian crisis.

The Taliban have banned Afghanistan’s women and girls from education, employment, and basic freedoms, severely limiting their rights and opportunities. These restrictions have drawn strong criticism from the international community.

Despite global condemnation, the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on women have not stopped. International pressure has so far failed to reverse these policies, leaving women with limited opportunities and uncertain futures.

The continued suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan has isolated the country diplomatically and economically. Many nations and organizations refuse to fully engage with the Taliban regime until significant policy changes occur.

As the world calls for reforms, Afghanistan’s women remain at the center of a human rights crisis. Without urgent intervention, the long-term damage caused by these restrictions may hinder Afghanistan’s development for generations.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned about the negative impacts of the ban on women’s and girls’ education in the field of medical sciences in Afghanistan, describing it as a factor that could lead to a long-term crisis in the country’s healthcare sector.

On Tuesday, February 18, OCHA released a report stating that the maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan is three times higher than the global average.

According to the report, on December 2, 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Taliban administration ordered the closure of all medical institutes for women and girls, including higher education and semi-professional programs. This decision poses serious challenges to the future of Afghanistan’s healthcare system.

Earlier, some media outlets reported that Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, Deputy Minister of Public Health, had announced during a meeting with medical institute officials in Kabul that female students would no longer be allowed to continue their studies in these institutions.

A day after this announcement, the Taliban authorities in Kabul and several other provinces began preventing girls from entering these educational institutions. Before this decision, women and girls were pursuing education in fields such as midwifery, pharmacy, dental prosthetics, laboratory sciences, radiology, physiotherapy, and nursing in medical institutes.

According to United Nations statistics, Afghanistan is among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

The ban on women’s medical education will not only worsen the existing healthcare crisis but will also deprive Afghan society of skilled female professionals who play a crucial role in maternal and child healthcare. This decision threatens to create a severe shortage of female healthcare workers, which could disproportionately impact women, particularly in rural areas where cultural norms often prevent them from receiving treatment from male doctors.

Addressing this issue requires urgent international intervention and policy changes to ensure that Afghan women and girls can resume their education and contribute to the healthcare sector. Without immediate action, Afghanistan’s healthcare system risks further collapse, leading to increased suffering and loss of lives.