Martin Hartberg, the United Kingdom director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has called for Britain to resume its development aid programs in Afghanistan. His remarks follow the release of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s report on “UK Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan 2023-24.”
“We welcome the report’s call for the U.K. to bolster its presence in Afghanistan,” Hartberg said. “Enhanced diplomatic engagements will be crucial for maintaining oversight of aid programs, safeguarding principled humanitarian action, and holding the authorities accountable for their obligations towards Afghan women and girls.”
He emphasized the positive impact of U.K. humanitarian aid in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. “This report highlights the significant and positive impact of U.K. humanitarian aid on Afghanistan. It underscores the continued need for the U.K.’s unwavering commitment to the Afghan people, who are trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 23 million people in need of vital assistance,” Hartberg said.
During his visit to Afghanistan last year, Hartberg witnessed the challenges faced by women-led small businesses in finding skilled labor and accessing financial services for loans and investments. He urged the U.K. to reinstate vital development programs to help Afghans build resilience and boost the private sector. “The U.K. and other donors must also maintain funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance at a time when the Afghan people struggle to reverse cycles of poverty and despair,” he added.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s report, published on July 11, 2024, highlighted that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance this year. Despite the severity of needs, only 23.2 percent of the $3.06 billion required for the humanitarian response has been funded so far, the report states.
The NRC has been operating in Afghanistan since 2003, providing assistance to meet immediate needs, prevent further displacement, and contribute to durable solutions. The organization currently operates in 12 provinces: Badghis, Balkh, Faryab, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Sar-e-Pul, Uruzgan, and Zabul, addressing the needs of all Afghans, including women and girls.
Between 2019 and 2023, the NRC received £23 million from the U.K.’s Foreign Development and Commonwealth Office for shelter programs and legal assistance. For 2023-2024, the U.K. has committed £113.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to help alleviate the crisis, but Hartberg stresses that more must be done to address the underlying humanitarian issues and facilitate a sustainable response.
