Humanitarian operations in Afghanistan are facing escalating challenges, with 83 projects temporarily suspended in September due to a surge in incidents caused primarily by the Taliban, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Tuesday.
“These disruptions have forced the closure of two facilities and the relocation of one project,” OCHA noted, highlighting the significant impact on aid delivery in a country where millions rely on humanitarian support.
In its September report, OCHA detailed 173 incidents that impeded humanitarian work, marking a 31 percent increase from the previous month and a 66 percent rise compared to the same period last year. “The vast majority of these incidents—98 percent—were attributed to Taliban actions,” OCHA stated, noting that the southern, eastern, and western regions were the most affected by these access challenges.
According to OCHA, the most common issues faced by humanitarian organizations included “interference in activities, violence against aid workers, and restrictions on movement.” The organization reported that 88 percent of the interference incidents directly hindered the implementation of humanitarian programs, including restrictions on staff recruitment and female workers. “Interference with staff recruitment reached its highest level in 2024, temporarily halting 24 projects across 13 provinces,” OCHA added.
OCHA also reported that the Taliban issued 13 directives in September, which significantly impacted aid efforts. “These directives, mainly from the Directorate of Economy and the Directorate of Public Health, reinforced restrictive procedures, further complicating the delivery of aid,” OCHA stated, underscoring the growing bureaucratic obstacles.
Since the enactment of the “Morality Law” in August, OCHA has recorded 47 incidents of interference by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. “These incidents, focused in the southern, northern, and southeastern regions, include detentions, monitoring visits, and increasing restrictions on female staff,” OCHA reported, citing concerns over growing demands for sensitive personal information from aid workers.
OCHA also emphasized the increasing violence against humanitarian personnel, with nine workers detained and three facilities closed in September. “Movement restrictions, particularly at checkpoints, have compounded these difficulties, especially for female aid workers,” OCHA reported, describing the operational environment as increasingly precarious.
As these challenges continue to mount, OCHA warned that the ability to deliver vital aid in Afghanistan is under severe strain. “The safety and security of humanitarian workers and beneficiaries remain at significant risk,” OCHA concluded.
