Kabul [Afghanistan], July 15 (ANI): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarm over a growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, citing an unprecedented funding shortfall that threatens to leave millions more vulnerable to hunger, poverty, and displacement.
In its latest report, OCHA revealed that for the 2024 fiscal year, only 53% of the $3.06 billion required for the Humanitarian Response Plan has been secured, leaving a gap of approximately $1.43 billion. The agency urged the international community to intensify support, warning that without immediate intervention, the country’s fragile humanitarian response could collapse.
The funding shortfall comes amid mounting distress on the ground. In Kabul, Hussain Agha Haidari, a young man forced to shine shoes to support his family, spoke of the daily struggle to survive. “We tried hard to find a job, we knocked on many doors. When nothing worked out, we had no choice but to become cobblers. We earn 100 to 150 Afghanis a day, just enough to bring bread home in the evening,” Haidari said. He added that he has not received any assistance from any organisation and appealed for help in securing permanent employment.
OCHA reported that approximately 14.9 million people in Afghanistan—roughly 67% of aid recipients—have received food assistance this year, while 41% have benefited from aid across multiple sectors. However, the agency warned that without sufficient funding, it would be impossible to sustain these efforts at the required scale.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy has also expressed concern, particularly in light of the ongoing mass return of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries. “OCHA’s report is being released at a time when Afghanistan is facing a large wave of returnees. We urge international organisations to accelerate and prioritise their assistance more than ever before,” said Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari.
At the same time, economic analysts have cautioned that while humanitarian aid is essential for immediate relief, long-term development is vital to break the cycle of poverty. “These are short-term aid efforts aimed at immediate relief. As we’ve mentioned before, to truly eliminate poverty in Afghanistan, this assistance must be invested strategically, in agriculture, infrastructure, and long-term development programs,” said Mohammad Asif Stanekzai, an economic analyst.
OCHA reiterated its call for urgent international action to bridge the funding gap, warning that the failure to mobilise additional resources could result in a significant deterioration of living conditions across the country.
(ANI)
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