Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health Accuses UN of Delivering Expired, Unusable Aid to Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Public Health, Noorjalal Jalali, has publicly accused the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) of delivering expired and substandard humanitarian aid, Khaama Press reported.

Speaking at a press conference in Kabul, Jalali revealed that WFP imported 6,750 metric tons of low-quality “Super Cereal” and 55 tons of expired “premix” food supplements. Additionally, UNDP reportedly supplied 650 tuberculosis diagnostic kits that were either expired or mismatched with their documentation.

Jalali condemned these actions as a “clear waste of aid” and called for greater transparency and accountability in managing humanitarian assistance to meet the actual needs of Afghanistan’s people.

Humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan have long been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiencies. Reports from the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre highlight issues such as favoritism, aid diversion, and inflated costs, exacerbated by poor donor coordination and weak oversight. Investigations by SIGAR and Transparency International reveal that the Taliban have exploited aid networks through fraudulent NGOs, diverting resources intended for vulnerable populations.

The high costs of aid delivery, including transportation and administrative expenses, further reduce the funds reaching those in need. The UN agencies have not yet responded to these allegations amid ongoing funding cuts and security challenges affecting aid operations.

The Afghan government’s accusations emphasize the urgent need for improved transparency to restore public trust and enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian aid in the country.