Interference by Taliban, restrictions on aid workers and other access constraints delayed or disrupted 48 humanitarian operations across Afghanistan in April, despite a decline in the overall number of reported incidents, according to a new UN report.
The UN agency for coordination of humanitarian activities, OCHA, recorded 66 humanitarian access incidents during the month, a 23 percent decrease from March.
However, the agency cautioned that the decline did not reflect an improvement in the operating environment. Instead, it largely resulted from the cessation of hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which reduced conflict-related disruptions.
The report said the incidents included interference in aid activities, movement restrictions, violence against humanitarian personnel and facilities, and military operations. Of the 66 incidents recorded, 48 resulted in delays to humanitarian assistance.
Interference by Taliban remained the most significant obstacle, accounting for about 70 percent of all reported incidents.
According to the report, humanitarian organizations reported delays in signing memorandums of understanding, interference in aid programming and restrictions affecting recruitment processes.
Aid groups also reported requests by Taliban authorities for sensitive operational information, including staff lists and project documents, the report said.
Restrictions affecting female aid workers continued to undermine humanitarian operations.
OCHA documented 10 gender-related incidents during April, including restrictions on women staff, barriers to women’s participation in humanitarian activities, interference with midwifery training in Jalalabad, increased restrictions in Herat and the detention of female humanitarian personnel.
The report identified Balkh as the province with the highest number of access incidents, recording 17 cases, followed by Zabul with 10 and Herat with six.
Security concerns also persisted. OCHA reported five incidents related to military operations and ongoing hostilities, while violence against humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets continued to pose risks to aid workers. No aid workers were reported killed, injured or abducted during the month, though five humanitarian workers were arrested.
Weather-related disruptions further complicated aid delivery. Five incidents involving floods, poor weather and damaged transport routes temporarily restricted the movement of health teams and delayed access to community clinics.
The report also noted four incidents in which conflict-affected populations were unable to access humanitarian assistance. In southeastern Afghanistan, aid agencies reported shortages of relief supplies following recent hostilities, but efforts to move supplies were blocked because authorization was not granted by Taliban authorities.
The findings come as Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. UN agencies estimate that millions of people remain dependent on humanitarian assistance amid economic hardship, climate-related disasters and a surge in returns from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.
OCHA said continued engagement with Taliban, stronger coordination and sustained advocacy for humanitarian access remain critical to ensuring assistance reaches vulnerable communities.
