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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (February 2020)

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KEY ISSUES

In February 2020, the HAG recorded 46 incidents impacting access for humanitarians, which is clearly above the 29 incidents recorded in February 2019 and only slightly less than the 55 incidents recorded in January 2020.
This decrease is mainly due to warmer temperatures, with January logging 15 incidents of road closures due to snow and bad road conditions.

Interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities 12 incidents of interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities were recorded in February 2020, compared to 14 in January. Ten out of the 12 incidents were authored by NSAG-TB, with at least eight resulting in the temporary halt of program and/or closure of facility. The health sector continued to be particularly impacted by NSAG-TB interferences resulting in the closure of a high number of health facilities, including NGO-run health facilities in Paktya as well as Laghman and Nuristan provinces. Meanwhile, another NGO had to relocate their mobile health teams in Kunduz Province following unsuccessful negotiations with NSAG-TB.

Levy Requests Levy requests by NSAG-TB also continued to be an issue, with another three incidents recorded in February 2020 in Maydan Wardak, Kunar and Herat provinces, compared to two levy requests recorded in January. In two incidents, NSAG-TB requested a levy on NFI distributions, while the third request was made towards a de-mining agency. In all three instances, despite engagement with NSAG-TB representatives, NGOs were unable to negotiate a levy exemption and had to either relocate or suspend their activities. In recent months, it has become more and more difficult for NGOs to negotiate exemptions, with NSAG-TB arguing that they were not taxing humanitarian goods and services but rather requesting payment for the provision of security during humanitarian operations in areas controlled by them.

Military Operations and Kinetic Activity Another nine access incidents resulted from military operations and kinetic activity, with NSAG-TB authoring three incidents, while ANSF and IMF authored three and two respectively. Airstrikes continued to be a major concern for humanitarian access. Following an AAF airstrike in Helmand Province, local elders advised a multi-agency assessment team to postpone their assessment. In Kunduz, IMF conducted at least one airstrike against an NGO facility after NSAG-TB members had taken position inside the facility, thereby destroying the NGO facility and wounding one NGO staff member.

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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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