The United Nations has cautioned about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis and the challenging circumstances for aid operations in Afghanistan. The organization is worried about heightened threats to its personnel’s lives, pointing to the killing of a minimum of 30 humanitarian workers during the two-year reign of the Taliban. The United Nations stresses that the volatile environment with persistent risks is unacceptable. Moreover, the UN highlights that due to reduced humanitarian assistance, the lives of millions in Afghanistan are in jeopardy. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has indicated that it will suspend financial aid to 25 medical facilities by this month’s end due to budgetary constraints, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has also cautioned about budget shortages in the healthcare system. Simultaneously, the Taliban has announced the lack of healthcare services for residents in 300 districts across the country. Conversely, the Taliban are promoting their name in various regions, showcasing their organizational activities. Sources continue to report extensive involvement of this group in the distribution of humanitarian aid, insisting that they even compile beneficiary lists in specific areas and demand a “share” from certain organizations.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the escalation of the humanitarian crisis and challenging conditions for aid operations in Afghanistan. The organization has stated that at least 30 humanitarian workers have been killed during the two-year rule of the Taliban. According to the organization, the majority of the victims have been polio vaccinators and deminers. The United Nations has announced that the expansion of poverty and hunger, recurrent droughts, and insecurity have created a challenging human situation in Afghanistan. In the latest development, Daniel Anders, the UN’s Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan, voiced concern over the killing of 30 humanitarian workers, stating that personnel of humanitarian organizations are facing persistent risks in carrying out their duties, and this situation is unacceptable. He warned that if the threats against these workers are not addressed, millions of needy individuals will be deprived of humanitarian assistance essential for their survival.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also stated that it will cease its financial assistance to 25 medical facilities in Afghanistan by the end of this month. This decision, according to the organization, is due to budget constraints.
As aid organizations report the suspension of their healthcare assistance, recently, Qalandar Ebad, the acting Minister of Public Health under Taliban control, has mentioned that residents in nearly 300 districts are deprived of healthcare services. According to him, people in these districts lack full access to hospitals and health centers.
Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a warning about budget shortages in Afghanistan’s healthcare system. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated, “The situation in Afghanistan is dire, and the lack of resources and funding to support health workers and facilities jeopardizes countless lives. Women and children are bearing the brunt of this crisis.” According to him, Afghanistan is currently facing a protracted humanitarian crisis, putting millions at risk of severe malnutrition and the spread of diseases.
However, despite the concerns raised by the United Nations and aid organizations regarding the humanitarian situation, the Taliban continue to promote the activities of these organizations under their own banner. An informed source within one of these organizations told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that the extensive intervention and influence of the Taliban in the operations of several organizations is alarming. According to the source, the Taliban compile lists of beneficiaries for humanitarian aid in various regions. The source adds that Taliban members interfere in the affairs of these organizations and “demand and offer opinions without authority.” The source emphasizes that some organizations provide a “share” to each Taliban official in districts and urban areas.
Another source from a foreign organization mentioned that the Taliban introduce their affiliated “NGOs” to these organizations in order to get projects. According to the source, the Taliban have warned these organizations that if they don’t assign projects to their affiliated entities, they will create problems for them. Due to security concerns, more details have been withheld in the report. Previously, American media reported that relief workers in non-profit organizations in Afghanistan are forced to pay extortion money to the Taliban.
This comes as a number of citizens of Afghanistan express concerns over the escalation of the crisis and the reach of the Taliban in humanitarian aid. According to these citizens, alongside their inability to provide services over the past two years, the Taliban also control humanitarian assistance. They claim that most organizations in remote areas operate under the Taliban’s orders. According to their assertions, if these organizations do not pay the Taliban “tribute” and do not operate according to the group’s preferences, they are not allowed to continue their activities.
Domestic and international organizations are expressing concerns over the Taliban’s interference and influence in the process of humanitarian aid distribution. The United Nations has suspended its aid in the Ghor province due to the Taliban’s intervention in aid distribution. Sources in this province state that despite local commitments by the Taliban, the activities of organizations in this province have not returned to normal. The International Peace Institute (IPI) has also stated in a report that humanitarian aid is under the influence of the Taliban. According to this report, the Taliban are systematically and purposefully attempting to alter the direction of international aid in Afghanistan.
It’s worth mentioning that the United States Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released a report stating that as millions of dollars of humanitarian aid poured in, starving children became more numerous, while the Taliban became more prosperous. Additionally, the “Modern Diplomacy” journal has accused the Taliban of misusing humanitarian aid. The journal has mentioned that a significant portion of this aid is distributed to the families of Taliban militants who have been killed in the 20 years of war in Afghanistan.