The Security Council briefing, presented by Georgette Gagnon, deputy special representative for Afghanistan, and Tom Fletcher, UN emergency relief coordinator, highlighted the critical need for protection and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan in 2026, affecting nearly half the population.
Ms. Gagnon emphasized the systemic exclusion of women and girls from public life, noting the ongoing ban on secondary and higher education for girls, now in its fourth year, which deprives the country of future professionals. She also pointed out increasing media restrictions, with journalists facing intimidation, detention, and censorship, curtailing public debate and engagement. The intrusive enforcement of the de facto authorities’ law on “propagation of virtue and prevention of vice” further invades personal privacy.
Humanitarian needs are escalating, with Mr. Fletcher stating that almost 22 million people will require aid next year, as Afghanistan stands as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. For the first time in four years, the number of people facing hunger has risen, with 17.4 million Afghans experiencing food insecurity amid significant funding cuts straining the response. More than 300 nutrition distribution points have closed, endangering 1.1 million children, while the closure of 422 health facilities in 2025 has deprived three million people of essential health care.
In 2025, Afghanistan saw a substantial rise in returning refugees, with over 2.6 million Afghans returning, totaling more than four million over two years. Many arrive with minimal possessions and settle into impoverished communities. Mr. Fletcher noted that 60 percent of returnees this year were women and children, returning to a country with limited access to education, employment, and healthcare for women. Economic challenges persist despite modest GDP growth, as per capita income declines due to population growth. Rural livelihoods have been severely impacted by the continued ban on opium cultivation, with a reported 48 percent drop in rural incomes, necessitating support for alternative livelihoods.
The delivery of aid has been paralyzed, despite seemingly calmer security conditions. Rising tensions with Pakistan and the closure of major border crossings have disrupted trade and civilian life. Female participation in humanitarian work is under direct threat, with female UN staff barred from UN premises, a restriction Mr. Fletcher condemned as “unacceptable” and crippling to aid efforts. He stressed that an effective humanitarian response requires women’s involvement.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (MANUA) warned that rights remain “out of reach for too many,” especially women and girls, and involuntary returns heighten risks for journalists, former officials, and civil society figures. Ms. Gagnon stated in a separate UNAMA statement that human rights are vital for daily life and Afghanistan’s recovery, emphasizing the need for women and girls to learn, work, and participate fully.
The UN continues to deliver aid despite significant challenges, releasing over $40 million for emergency responses. However, Mr. Fletcher warned that underfunding now endangers lives. He cautioned that by 2026, life-saving assistance could further contract amid rising food insecurity, health demands, and protection threats, urging urgent international support to avert a worsening crisis.
Leave a Reply