Attachments
Context
The end of Afghanistan's decades-long conflict in August 2021 marked a significant shift towards a more stable security environment nationwide. With the disappearance of frontlines, there has been a notable push for improved access to public services, even in previously hard-to-reach areas. However, the lingering consequences of the conflict and the imposition of international sanctions since 2021 continue to hinder economic recovery and job opportunities. This situation has prolonged the absence of developmental activities and reduced funding for the humanitarian- development nexus, exacerbating the complexities in addressing the escalating humanitarian needs of the Afghan population.
The humanitarian landscape in Afghanistan remains dire, with women and girls disproportionately affected by ongoing challenges. Despite efforts, a substantial portion of the population - estimated at 42 million people - is expected to require urgent humanitarian assistance in 2024. Key drivers of humanitarian needs during 2023 and 2024 include recurring natural disasters, the compounding effects of climate change, population displacement, economic hardships, gaps in healthcare services, and threats to protection, particularly impacting the well-being of women and girls.
Due to its geographical location, Afghanistan faces significant risks from severe and recurrent natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches and droughts, often resulting in catastrophic outcomes. The country ranks among the top 15 nations most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and struggles with inadequate preparedness and adaptation measures. Off-seasonal floods in 2023 affected approximately 126,000 people across 18 provinces, leading to the destruction of 1,360 homes, the loss of 13,023 hectares of agricultural land, and the death of at least 1,128 livestock. In October 2023, a series of earthquakes, beginning with a magnitude 6.3 tremor on 7 October 2023, struck western Afghanistan. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority reported significant damage across 382 villages spanning 10 districts. The earthquakes resulted in approximately 48,000 houses being destroyed or damaged.
Late 2023 witnessed the return of hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghans and refugees from Pakistan due to new policies affecting an estimated 1.3 million Afghans. Projections by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) anticipate approximately 720,000 undocumented individuals and 50,000 individuals without Proof of Registration cards to return from Pakistan by July 2024. Many returnees are settling in areas already experiencing prolonged displacement. Many Internally Displaced People (IDPs) households reside in Informal Settlements (ISETs), which lack formal land usage agreements and are typically situated in or near major urban centres. These households face eviction risks, evidenced by multiple incidents of evictions from predominantly urban informal settlements in 2023. The ongoing displacement crisis and large-scale returns underscore the urgent need for durable solutions supporting voluntary return, local integration or resettlement.
Afghanistan's economic crisis is pervasive, with more than half of households experiencing financial shocks. High unemployment rates and inflation in essential commodities have escalated average household debt, challenging coping mechanisms and impeding the fragile economy's ability to withstand shocks. According to the UNDP's Socio- Economic Outlook 2023, over 85 percent of the population now lives below the poverty line. The vulnerable Afghan economy heavily relies on humanitarian aid and remittances, further strained by women's exclusion from economic participation. The humanitarian situation is compounded by restrictions hindering the participation of women and minority groups. In December 2022, authorities announced measures curtailing women's access to education and employment opportunities. Pragmatic approaches ensuring women's inclusion must be pursued. Restrictive policies hamper women's access to services and assistance, negatively affecting international engagement and donor contributions.