A recent UN report highlights that 70% of women in Afghanistan struggle to access humanitarian aid due to various restrictions.

A recent report by the United Nations Women’s Division highlights that over 70% of women in Afghanistan face significant barriers to accessing humanitarian aid. The report points to a lack of female staff in humanitarian organizations and restrictions on women’s mobility as the primary reasons for this challenge.

The report, released on Sunday, April 27, examines the gendered impact of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. It states that the Taliban’s strict regulations on women, such as mandatory male guardianship and strict dress codes, have severely limited women’s participation in public life.

Additionally, the report emphasizes that the Taliban’s ban on women working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations (UN) agencies has restricted women’s access to essential services such as healthcare, education, nutrition, and protection. This has undermined women’s role in shaping effective and equitable responses within the community.

One of the most concerning findings is the ongoing restriction of education for girls, with only 43% of school-aged girls receiving education and virtually no girls in the 13-17 age group attending school. This contributes to the continued cycle of poverty in the country.

The report also reveals that economic pressures, particularly on households led by women, have intensified in 2024. Some families have been forced to resort to drastic measures such as skipping meals, pulling children out of school, and early child marriages.

Furthermore, the lack of female health workers has significantly reduced women’s access to healthcare services, worsening maternal health conditions. With limited decision-making power in society, Afghanistan’s women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence and early marriage.

Despite these challenges, women-led organizations have played a vital role in advocating for women’s rights, but they have struggled due to a lack of funding. The report recommends increasing the recruitment of female staff in humanitarian organizations and providing financial support to women-led institutions to help alleviate the situation.

The report underscores the critical need for international support to ensure that Afghanistan’s women can access the resources and rights they are entitled to. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, efforts to empower women and ensure their participation in the rebuilding process are crucial for Afghanistan’s long-term stability and progress.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister stated that terrorism in the region stems from U.S. policies, which have supported militant groups for decades.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently reiterated his country’s stance on terrorism, acknowledging past support for terror groups. In a statement, Asif stressed that the roots of terrorism in the region can be traced back decades to Western policies, particularly those of the United States. He claimed that Pakistan had long been involved in a “dirty game” on behalf of the West, citing decades of collaboration with the U.S. and the U.K. in supporting terrorism.

Asif’s remarks come after previous admissions on Pakistani involvement in supporting terror groups during the Soviet-Afghanistan war and beyond. He confirmed that Pakistan had been complicit in facilitating terrorist activities for Western powers, asserting that Pakistan had engaged in this “dirty work” for over three decades, largely driven by U.S. interests in countering Soviet influence in the region.

The defense minister also discussed India’s accusations against Pakistan. He pointed out that while Pakistan was often blamed for regional issues, it had no involvement in the accusations leveled by India. Despite the tension, Asif stressed that Pakistan did not want to escalate the conflict, emphasizing that Islamabad had no desire to take the initiative in any military action.

In an earlier interview with Sky News, Asif went further to criticize Western policies. He underscored that U.S. and British support for terrorist groups had destabilized the region. His comments were part of an ongoing critique of Western interventions in the region, where Pakistan had historically been used as a strategic ally in the fight against the Soviet Union, only to face the consequences of those same policies.

Reports indicated that Pakistan supported terrorism and insurgent groups in Afghanistan both before and after the Soviet withdrawal, continuing even after 2001 with U.S. and NATO presence.

Asif also targeted India’s alleged role in supporting terrorism against Pakistan. He claimed that India was involved in training and equipping terrorists in Afghanistan, particularly through its consulates in the country. According to Asif, Pakistan had credible intelligence indicating that India was directly supplying weapons and explosives to groups like TTP to target key Pakistani cities.

Asif’s remarks reflect deep-rooted geopolitical tensions in South Asia, particularly the ongoing rivalry between Pakistan and India, and the complex role the West has played in the region’s instability. These historical dynamics, shaped by U.S. and U.K. actions during the Cold War, continue to influence current relationships and conflicts.

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Tom Fletcher, arrived in Kabul for a week-long visit to assess humanitarian challenges and collaborate with teams.

Tom Fletcher, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs, arrived in Kabul for a one-week visit. His mission is to work with UN humanitarian teams in Afghanistan and assess the challenges faced by the country.

During his visit, Fletcher highlighted the increasing number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, noting the significant reduction in available funding and the complexity of policies, which have made the humanitarian situation even more challenging.

Fletcher emphasized the continued importance of humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan, stressing that the UN remains committed to providing aid despite the growing difficulties. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the 22.9 million Afghans requiring humanitarian assistance in 2025.

Afghanistan faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), around half of Afghanistan’s population, or 22.9 million people, will need humanitarian aid to survive in 2025.

Despite the challenging circumstances, the UN is focused on ensuring that humanitarian efforts continue, aiming to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by ongoing crises in Afghanistan.

Tom Fletcher’s visit signifies the UN’s ongoing commitment to providing vital humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. As the country faces complex challenges, international collaboration remains crucial to addressing the humanitarian needs and ensuring stability.

WFP warns of potential suspension of humanitarian air services in Afghanistan due to severe funding shortfall, impacting aid delivery.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that its humanitarian air services in Afghanistan may cease operations due to a critical funding shortfall. In a statement released on April 27, 2025, WFP emphasized that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) urgently requires $10.5 million to continue its flights throughout 2025. These flights are essential for delivering aid to remote and conflict-affected areas where road access is limited or unsafe. ​

UNHAS plays a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s humanitarian efforts, facilitating the transportation of aid workers and supplies to some of the country’s most inaccessible regions. Without this service, the delivery of critical assistance to millions of vulnerable individuals could be severely disrupted.

The funding crisis has been exacerbated by significant reductions in international aid. Notably, the United States, a major donor, has implemented substantial cuts to its foreign aid programs, including a halt to food assistance in Afghanistan. These reductions have left the WFP and other humanitarian organizations grappling with dwindling resources to meet the escalating needs of the people of Afghanistan. ​

In response to these challenges, the European Union has stepped in with a €16.5 million (approximately $17.4 million) contribution to support WFP’s operations in Afghanistan. This funding aims to sustain food assistance and nutrition programs for vulnerable communities, particularly during the harsh winter months. ​

Despite this support, the WFP has warned that without additional funding, it may be forced to scale back its activities further, potentially leaving millions without the necessary aid. The situation remains dire, with widespread food insecurity and malnutrition affecting large segments of the Afghan population. ​

The international community faces a critical juncture in determining the future of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The continuation of UNHAS flights and other essential services hinges on the prompt mobilization of funds and a concerted effort to address the underlying causes of the humanitarian crisis. Failure to act could have devastating consequences for the millions of Afghans reliant on international aid for survival.​

As the situation unfolds, it is imperative for global stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to humanitarian principles and ensure that the people of Afghanistan receive the support they desperately need. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of humanitarian efforts in the country.​