The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that humanitarian operations in Afghanistan remain severely hampered by Taliban interference, particularly affecting women aid workers and beneficiaries.
In its April report, released on Sunday, 25 May, OCHA recorded 60 access-related incidents across central, southern and western regions, an 11 percent increase over March. Eighteen percent of these incidents involved gender-based restrictions.
The obstacles documented included direct meddling in operational planning, diversion of aid, delays in document approval, interference in logistics and recruitment, and explicit curbs on women’s participation. As a result, 35 humanitarian activities were temporarily suspended during the month.
OCHA noted that 73 percent of all the 44 cases of access incidents were attributable to Taliban authorities. Violence against aid personnel also rose, with seven arrests, 29 threats or verbal assaults, and four outright movement bans. Restrictions on women’s roles in aid delivery jumped by 38 percent compared to March.
The Taliban have further demanded sensitive data, including beneficiary lists, undermining humanitarian neutrality. OCHA continues to publish monthly updates detailing these challenges, underscoring the urgent need for unfettered access to protect vulnerable populations.
