Kabul: More than a week has passed since the expiration of the 90-day suspension period for US aid worldwide — including Afghanistan — yet funding has not resumed, raising urgent concerns among humanitarian organizations.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) recently warned that the ongoing cut in US aid is endangering the lives of millions of Afghans.
In its latest report, the IRC emphasized: "Afghan families continue to grapple with widespread food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and ongoing instability. For 23 million Afghans, US assistance has served as a vital lifeline. Now, with funding at risk, the nation’s most vulnerable — particularly women and children — are bearing the brunt of the crisis."
The Ministry of Economy reported that US financial contributions accounted for 37% of the United Nations' operational funding in Afghanistan. The halt in funding has severely disrupted the work of 31 humanitarian organizations that depended on US support.
Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: "Out of the total UN aid efforts managed through local and international organizations, 37 percent was funded by USAID. With this funding now suspended, many humanitarian projects and activities across the country have been directly impacted."
According to the IRC’s assessment, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a severe humanitarian emergency, with over 22.9 million people in urgent need of aid. The report cites decades of conflict, a chronic economic downturn, and environmental disasters as key drivers pushing millions into deep poverty, with more than one-third of the population facing food insecurity.
