United Nations: The Afghan people are still suffering from multiple crises, and their situation requires urgent attention

This was confirmed by Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Afghanistan, during a briefing to the Security Council on Wednesday morning, noting that women and girls are still systematically excluded from almost all aspects of public life. Secondary and higher education for girls continues to be banned for the fourth year in a row, depriving Afghanistan of female doctors, entrepreneurs, teachers and leaders who are essential to the country today and in the future.

Media freedom is subject to increasing restrictions. Journalists face intimidation, arrest and censorship, reducing space for public debate and participation, and excluding people from decision-making about their future.

Georgette Gagnon said that Afghans – men and women – continue to suffer systematic violations in their daily lives through the application of the de facto authorities’ law on spreading virtue and preventing vice. She explained that the deteriorating human rights situation is not the only crisis affecting the Afghan people, as the country is still facing a serious humanitarian crisis and needs more humanitarian support.

International readiness for support

She affirmed the United Nations’ commitment to principled and practical engagement on the situation in Afghanistan, guided by respect for international obligations, comprehensive governance, and counter-terrorism obligations. The United Nations has proposed a political roadmap, as part of the Doha Process, to achieve this goal. The roadmap seeks to make progress in addressing the key issues hindering Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community.

Despite the seriousness of the aforementioned issues, the UN official confirms that there is an opportunity to build on the current relative stability and begin addressing the root causes of these crises. She added: “With the support of the Security Council, we can continue to build bridges of communication and work to achieve our shared vision of a peaceful Afghanistan, reintegrated into the international community, and where the human rights of all Afghans are preserved.”

Severe humanitarian crisis

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, focused his briefing on two main issues: the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and the latest developments regarding Resolution 2615, which was adopted by the Security Council in 2021, according to which humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs were excluded from the imposed sanctions related to individuals and entities associated with the Taliban.

Fletcher said he saw first-hand – during his visit to Kabul, Kandahar and Kunduz earlier this year – the impact of overlapping shocks and restrictive policies on women and girls, and the long-term impact of decades of conflict and chronic poverty, as well as the massive funding cuts that began this year, and caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

In 2026, nearly 22 million people will need humanitarian assistance, ranking third after Sudan and Yemen in terms of the scale of the crisis.

Fletcher added, “We are asking for $1.7 billion to target 17.5 million people. We have raised our plan to a top priority to target 3.9 million people who are in desperate need of assistance, so we need $375.9 million.”

Back in record numbers

Tom Fletcher explained that, for the first time in four years, the number of people facing hunger has risen, now reaching 17.4 million people. Basic services – already suffering from severe shortages and varying levels across the country – are under enormous pressure as Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan in record numbers.

More than 2.6 million Afghans will return in 2025, bringing the number of returnees over the past two years to more than four million.

He added: “The situation of these returnees is extremely dangerous. Many of them arrive with little luggage, and are hosted by communities that are already suffering from financial hardship and lack the necessary capabilities to receive them, in light of an economy that cannot provide their basic needs.”

Women and children made up 60% of all returnees this year, returning to a country where women and girls are denied opportunities to study, work, and in some cases even health care.