NRC: Aid Cuts and Mass Returns Intensify Afghanistan’s Crisis

DID Press: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a deepening humanitarian, economic and climate crisis as the country approaches the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power. The aid organization said millions of Afghans are struggling to access food, water, shelter and healthcare, while the large-scale return of migrants from neighboring countries is placing additional pressure on already limited resources.

According to the NRC, humanitarian funding has declined sharply in recent years. While around 96 percent of Afghanistan’s humanitarian response plan was funded in 2021, only 26 percent of required funding has been secured so far this year, forcing aid organizations to scale back assistance.

Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the NRC, said NATO member states had forgotten their commitments to the Afghan people and had “turned their backs” on the country’s civilians.

The NRC called for greater investment in development and long-term solutions to help rebuild Afghanistan. It also urged the international community to engage meaningfully with the Taliban to ensure that essential humanitarian assistance is not undermined by political considerations.

The warning comes as Afghanistan continues to face severe economic hardship, climate-related disasters, restrictions on women and girls, and growing pressure from the return of large numbers of Afghans from neighboring countries.