Taliban Restrictions Become Major Barrier to Aid for Afghan People

The Taliban government’s restrictions and interference are creating major obstacles to humanitarian aid reaching people in Afghanistan.

According to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 18 aid programs in Afghanistan remained suspended in July due to interference by the Taliban authorities.

The report said delays in approvals and interference in the implementation of aid programs seriously affected the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Restrictions on women also created major difficulties for humanitarian organizations. The report recorded 11 incidents in July linked to restrictions affecting women’s participation in aid work.

Twelve incidents of violence against aid workers and humanitarian assets were also recorded during July. The UN report said 12 aid workers were detained during the same month.

Experts say interference in humanitarian operations, restrictions and limits on women aid workers are making Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis even worse.

They said the Taliban’s policies and unnecessary interference are creating further problems for ordinary Afghans instead of helping reduce their suffering.