The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says restrictions on female staff and interference in aid operations are disrupting access to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
The organisation reported on Sunday, October 25, that humanitarian partners recorded 30 incidents related to impediments to humanitarian access in Afghanistan in September.
According to OCHA, this figure represents a 27 percent decrease compared with August. However, a decline in reported incidents does not necessarily indicate an improvement in the situation, as some incidents may have gone unreported.
According to the report, 18 of the recorded incidents involved interference in humanitarian activities, while four others were related to environmental and physical conditions.
OCHA added that military operations, ongoing clashes, violence against humanitarian workers, and the detention of aid organisation staff also hinder relief operations.
The organisation also said that four districts in Afghanistan face severe restrictions on humanitarian access.
Administrative and programmatic interference, as well as restrictions affecting female aid workers and aid recipients, were identified as the main factors contributing to this situation.
