KABUL (SW) – As the demand for global assistance in Afghanistan reaches unprecedented levels, international relief organizations warn of budget shortages hindering humanitarian aid delivery to those in need.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan recently released a report indicating that due to budget constraints, particularly in sectors like health, education, food, and shelter, some of its aid provisions may be suspended within the next month.
According to OCHA, “Some aid, including shelter, health, food, nutrition, protection, and education assistance in Afghanistan, is at risk of being cut due to budget shortages. Additional funding for supporting local procurement challenges and long transportation times is crucial for essential supplies.”
OCHA further stated that over half of Afghanistan’s population is in need of humanitarian aid this 2024.
Some flood victims in various provinces complain of a lack of access to food and shelter and call for immediate provision of basic necessities. Abdul Basir, a resident of Marghab district in Ghor, describes the devastation caused by recent floods, stressing the urgent need for assistance.
“Our homes have been engulfed by floods, leaving everything in ruins. Women, men, and children sought refuge in the mountains. Children fell ill. We are facing food shortages. aids must reach us as soon as possible,” he said.
Fatima, a resident of Daikundi whose one-year-old child suffers from malnutrition, expresses concern that if aid from relief agencies is cut, she will struggle to feed her child. She adds, “Currently, we receive food packages; these packages have been very beneficial for us. They have helped increase my son’s weight. If this assistance is cut off, with our limited financial means, how will we nourish our child?”
However, some international relations experts suggest that the interest of donor countries in providing aid to Afghanistan has diminished due to unmet of their demands by the de-facto government.
Bilal Fatemi, an international relations expert, points to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine as one of the factors affecting aid provisions and emphasizes, “Secondly, it is the behavior of the Islamic Emirate with the world. The Islamic Emirate also needs to alter its approach towards the world for cooperation.”
While the UN’s OCHA office in Afghanistan issues warnings about aid reduction, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has also reported that nearly 14 million Afghans urgently require food assistance.
