UN Chief Urges Action as Afghan Aid Cuts Worsen Humanitarian Crisis

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has made Afghanistan a high priority given the intertwined crises of climate change, poverty, and displacement. On a visit to Kunduz province, Fletcher criticized the huge cuts in humanitarian funding, saying aid funding decisions are "life and death choices." The U.S., once the largest donor to Afghanistan, cut aid funding after President Trump tussled with the budget, and has left $3.71 billion in aid frozen since the Taliban ousted the U.S. occupation in 2021.

Fletcher cautioned that climate change is now more challenging than conflict for Afghanistan, exacerbating already dire poverty and instability. The collapse of agriculture due to droughts, floods, and extreme weather events have led to poverty and millions of insecure people. Decades of war and Taliban rule have made it impossible to restore the country’s infrastructure. After looking at climate change in Afghanistan, Fletcher said that 70 per cent of Afghans depend on aid. "A crisis upon a crisis is mounting up," he said, and he encouraged the world to pay attention.

The Taliban's attacks on women prohibiting their education, work and access to the public sphere have been described by the UN as "gender apartheid". Maternal and infant mortality rates are some of the worst in the world, made worse by de facto health systems collapse. Fletcher stressed the need for dialogue with Taliban leadership to address these abuses, but noted the difficulties: "Changing mindsets is still a long-term process."

The closure of clinics due to cuts in foreign aid has resulted in facilities such as Kunduz's mobile health center having to shoulder displaced patients. Amina,28, took 90 minutes to receive treatment underlining the rural area healthcare deserts. According to UNICEF, maternal mortality is at 620 maternal death per 100,000 live births where infant mortality is equally concerning. Fletcher denounced the cuts: "Go back and celebrate them after you have met a woman who lost her child in pursuit of care."