An estimated 1.5 million people in Afghanistan are living with significant disabilities, many of them the result of decades of conflict, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In a post on X, UNAMA said Afghan children “carry a heavy share of the burden of disability,” noting that years of war, explosive remnants, poverty and limited access to healthcare have left many with long-term physical and psychological injuries.
“On this Day of Persons with Disabilities, we honour them and call for an inclusive, fair and sustainable Afghanistan for all,” the mission said.
Humanitarian agencies say people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, facing barriers to education, employment and healthcare. Many disability-related services previously supported by international donors have scaled back since the Taliban takeover in 2021, leaving families with little access to rehabilitation, assistive devices or specialised care.
Aid organizations also warn that women and girls with disabilities face added risks because of Taliban restrictions on movement, schooling and public participation, which have further reduced their access to support networks and essential services.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, established by the United Nations in 1992, is observed annually to promote awareness, rights and the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide.
