Afghanistan: UK must sustain vital support for people amid ongoing crisis

The report highlights the significant and positive impact of UK humanitarian aid on Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. It underscores the continued need for the UK’s unwavering commitment to the Afghan people, who are trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 23 million people in need of vital assistance.

In particular, NRC welcomes the report’s call for the UK to bolster its presence in Afghanistan. Enhanced diplomatic engagements will be crucial for maintaining oversight of aid programs, safeguarding principled humanitarian action, and holding the authorities accountable for their obligations towards Afghan women and girls.

“When I visited Afghanistan last year, I witnessed first-hand the challenges that small businesses led by women face in finding skilled labour and accessing financial services for loans and investments. We urge the UK to reinstate vital development programmes to help Afghans build resilience and boost the private sector. The UK and other donors must also maintain funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance at a time when the Afghan people struggle to reverse cycles of poverty and despair,”  Martin Hartberg, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) United Kingdom (UK) director.