Afghanistan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (March 2026)

Key Highlights

Afghanistan is simultaneously managing three overlapping crises:
renewed hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan; widespread
flash flooding; and entrenched structural constraints resulting from
de facto authority (DfA) interference in humanitarian programming.
In March, humanitarian partners reported a total of 86[1] access
incidents across Afghanistan, with the eastern region (38)
recording the highest number, followed by the southeastern (19)
and western (8) regions. Approximately 55 per cent of reported
incidents were directly related to the impact of military operations
on humanitarian activities, including cross-border fire and shelling,
the presence of mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO). These
incidents resulted in delays to 58 humanitarian activities and the
closure of one livelihood centre. Compared to the previous month,
the overall number of access incidents decreased by 14 per cent;
however, the operational environment became more challenging,
with conflict-related incidents disrupting life-saving service delivery
to vulnerable communities across border areas, and posing
longer-term risks both to humanitarians and civilians.
The primary concern during the reporting period was military
operations along the border with Pakistan, which significantly
affected eastern and southeastern areas, including Khost, Kunar,
Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktia, Parwan and Herat. Compared to the
previous month, incidents increased from 21 to 47 and included
the suspension of inter-agency assessments and response
activities. In the Bargematal and Kamdesh districts of Nuristan
Province, approximately, 17,000 households face severe food and
medical shortages due to the closure of the main supply route
through Nari district, in Kunar. Additional impacts included the
suspension and relocation of mine action awareness activities,
disruptions and closures to essential health and nutrition services.
The physical environment remained challenging, with heavy
rainfall and flash floods throughout March affecting 31 of 34
provinces. A total of nine access incidents were recorded in
relation to these natural hazards. These included limited access to
telecommunications in border provinces such as Badakhshan,
restricting communication, access to services and the ability of
humanitarian partners to coordinate response activities. Flooding
also resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and road closures.
In one reported case, a humanitarian partner’s food supply truck
was swept away by flash floods in Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand
province.
Humanitarian operations continued to face various forms of
interference. Compared to previous months, there was a decrease
in reported incidents, from 49 to 24, including interference in
programming (7), beneficiary selection (5), recruitment (2), in and
distribution (1), as well as delays in the approval Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) (2). Interference by the DfA PVPV continued
to impact humanitarian programming. A total of 10 incidents were
recorded, including visits to the Reception Centre in Herat. These
incidents highlight ongoing challenges and contribute to a more
constrained operating environment, requiring continued
engagement to ensure that humanitarian activities can be
implemented in line with humanitarian principles.
Gender-related incidents remained a significant challenge to
effective humanitarian response, with 14 reported incidents,
representing a decrease of 26 per cent from the previous month.
These incidents included limitations on female participation in
offices and restrictions on access to field sites. Additional
constraints involved restrictions on projects and activities
targeting women beneficiaries, including the suspension of a
midwifery training programme in Nangarhar. Humanitarian
partners also reported pressure from DfA on the non-selection of
Afghan women staff during recruitment. Overall, these restrictions
continue to limit the effectiveness, inclusivity and reach of
humanitarian interventions.
A total of six incidents of violence against humanitarian staff,
personnel and assets were recorded. These included the death of
an INGO worker in Nari from cross-border fire, one detention case,
as well as reports of threats against humanitarian personnel.
Compared to the previous month, these incidents decreased by 54
per cent, but they remain a concern for staff safety and continue to
affect the ability of partners to carry out activities in a secure
environment.