UN Calls for Greater Support for Afghans with Disabilities
UN Calls for Greater Support for Afghans with Disabilities
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The United Nations has urged stronger inclusion, protection, and access to services for people with disabilities in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported. In a statement marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2025, the UN highlighted that nearly one in four Afghans lives with a disability, a rate well above the global average due to decades of conflict, displacement, economic hardship, and weak health systems.
Recent data cited by the UN indicates that 24.6% of Afghans have mild disabilities, 40% moderate, and nearly 13.9% severe, with many facing barriers to education, healthcare, and employment. The UN emphasized that people with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable groups amid Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Indrika Ratwatte, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, stressed that disability inclusion is central to UN programs in the country, noting that ensuring participation in all aspects of society is vital for building a peaceful and equitable Afghanistan.
The UN also pointed to worsening conditions, including the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan, leaving many individuals with disabilities without essential medical care or mobility support. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to implementing its Disability Inclusion Strategy, which mandates that all UN agencies in Afghanistan integrate disability rights into humanitarian and development work.
