Amnesty International Blames Taliban Policies for Humanitarian Aid Decline in Afghanistan

Amnesty International Blames Taliban Policies for Humanitarian Aid Decline in Afghanistan
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Amnesty International has held the Taliban responsible for the reduction in humanitarian aid activities in Afghanistan, citing the group’s policies that prohibit women from working. The organization emphasized that these restrictions directly worsen the country’s humanitarian crisis, as evidenced by the recent devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.

In its statement, Amnesty expressed condolences to the victims’ families and underscored the necessity of prioritizing human rights in any emergency response. By banning women from employment in UN agencies and NGOs, the Taliban have hindered relief efforts and significantly limited aid delivery.

Local reports highlight the death of at least six pregnant women in Kunar province due to a shortage of female medical staff and inadequate healthcare facilities. The UN Population Fund warned that Afghanistan urgently needs around 18,000 skilled midwives, noting that this shortage threatens thousands of women’s lives.

Past reports also documented women’s fatalities during the 2023 Herat earthquake, linked to mobility restrictions imposed by the Taliban, including requirements for female accompaniment and dress codes, which delayed access to safety. Since regaining control, the Taliban have imposed broad restrictions on women’s education and employment in health and relief sectors, exacerbating health crises and forcing closures of many medical centers.