KABUL, Afghanistan — The United Nations’ humanitarian air service in Afghanistan may be forced to suspend operations due to a critical funding shortage, the World Food Program (WFP) warned on Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, WFP Afghanistan said the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) urgently needs $10.5 million to continue flying in 2025.
“When roads end, UN Humanitarian Air Service takes over — flying aid workers to the hardest-to-reach places in Afghanistan. Now, flights may stop due to a massive funding shortfall. UNHAS urgently needs $10.5 million to keep flying in 2025,” the agency said.
UNHAS flights are considered a vital lifeline for humanitarian workers, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas where ground transport is limited or unsafe. WFP noted that without these flights, the delivery of emergency aid to isolated communities could be severely disrupted.
In addition to domestic flights, UNHAS maintains a regional air corridor linking Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, facilitating both cargo deliveries and the movement of aid personnel. Within Afghanistan, the service enables the WFP and other UN agencies to reach vulnerable populations in areas otherwise inaccessible by land.
One of the primary missions of the service is to transport humanitarian workers to the front lines of emergencies, allowing rapid response in crises ranging from food insecurity to natural disasters.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian environments, with millions dependent on international assistance amid ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and widespread displacement.
