Taliban restrictions disrupt aid operations in Afghanistan

Humanitarian operations in Afghanistan faced major disruptions last month due to Taliban interference and access restrictions, leading to the suspension of 56 aid projects, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported.

OCHA documented 127 humanitarian access incidents in January, with the Taliban responsible for 83 percent. While this marked a decrease from previous months, the restrictions severely impacted aid delivery. Nearly half of the suspended projects remained inactive as of February.

Taliban interference was the primary obstacle, with 87 incidents recorded. These included restrictions on programming, demands for sensitive data, bans on female aid workers, and interference in staff recruitment. As a result, 26 projects were suspended, with 22 still inactive in February.

Severe winter conditions further hindered aid efforts, causing delays due to heavy snowfall and rainfall. Security concerns also escalated, with 34 humanitarian workers arrested or detained in January—a sharp increase from the previous month. Fifteen remained in Taliban custody in early February.

Additionally, Taliban authorities issued 12 new directives affecting aid work. OCHA warned that continued restrictions could worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, though aid organizations remain committed to delivering assistance despite ongoing challenges.