The people of Afghanistan need sustainable solutions to avoid catastrophe

Two years since the change of authorities in Afghanistan a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding. The situation is driven by a devastating mix of food insecurity and climate change, funding cuts, operational restrictions, and the absence of effective diplomatic engagement.

An estimated 15.3 million Afghans are food insecure with acute malnutrition recorded above the emergency threshold in 25 out of 34 provinces. More than halfway through the year, the humanitarian response plan targeting more than 21 million people is less than 25 percent funded.

The Afghan people need long-term sustainable solutions to end the humanitarian crisis. This must include efforts to promote greater economic stability including a functioning banking sector and connection to the international financial system. Without progress in the economy, including the resumption of long-term development assistance, sustainable solutions will never be achieved.

NRC urges the authorities in Afghanistan to uphold their obligations as duty bearers, towards all members of the population, including enabling unhindered and principled humanitarian access and education for women and girls. Further, NRC calls on the international community to sustain humanitarian funding to stabilize the crisis and to step-up diplomatic engagement to find constructive ways forward for Afghanistan as people’s lives and futures depend on it.