NRC Warns Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis Is Deepening

DID Press: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned that Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis is worsening as international aid declines sharply, five years after Western governments withdrew their troops, diplomats and development agencies from the country.

According to an NRC report, more than 6 million Afghans have returned from neighboring countries since late 2023, placing additional pressure on communities already affected by climate change, regional tensions and growing restrictions on women and girls.

The organization said severe cuts to humanitarian funding have left millions of Afghans struggling to access food, water, shelter and healthcare.

NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland accused NATO member states of forgetting their commitments to the Afghan people. He said returnees face particularly severe challenges, with up to 73% reportedly unemployed and limited opportunities to earn a living.

Egeland said shelter and employment are among the most urgent needs of returnees, warning that declining assistance has left many families without adequate housing or the means to provide food for their children.

Afghan authorities have made land allocation a central component of their plans to resettle returnees. However, the NRC said the growing number of arrivals, the complexity of land distribution, limited investment and inadequate basic services are making reintegration increasingly difficult.

The NRC reported that Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan was about 96% funded in 2021, but funding fell to 42% in 2025 and has reached only 26% of the required amount so far this year.

The organization called for greater development investment to create long-term solutions and strengthen Afghanistan’s economy. It also urged the international community to maintain humanitarian assistance and engage effectively with Afghan authorities to ensure continued access to essential services.