Afghanistan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (October 2025)

Key Highlights

Humanitarian partners reported 84[1] access incidents across Afghanistan in October 2025, representing a 23 per cent decrease compared with the previous month. The Western Region reported the highest number of access constraints, followed by the Southern and Eastern Regions. These impediments led to the temporary suspension of 60 humanitarian activities, mainly affecting the Food Security, Protection and WASH sectors.

The most prevalent categories of access constraints were interference in humanitarian activities, violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities, restrictions on movement within the affected country, and border military operations. These constraints continued to hinder the effective and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, causing delays and interruptions, particularly affecting the ability of female staff to reach people in need.

Out of the total 84 incidents, 70 (84 per cent) were related to various forms of interference in humanitarian operations. These included delays in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, interference in procurement and staff recruitment, direct interference in programme implementation, requests for staff lists and other sensitive data such as survey and distribution lists, and continued restrictions on women humanitarian workers. The nationwide ban on women humanitarian workers remained in place, preventing female staff from reporting to offices and engaging in humanitarian activities. These restrictions also continued to prevent female beneficiaries from receiving assistance and accessing essential services.

Gender-related access constraints remained widespread. Of the total incidents reported, 24 (28 per cent) were gender-related, predominantly affecting female staff and female beneficiaries. These included actions restricting women’s participation in assessments, their presence at distribution sites, the enforcement of bans on women and threats against female aid workers, including those related to dress code compliance. Additionally, a total of five incidents involving restrictions on movement were also recorded, including the enforcement of mahram requirements for female staff, additional restrictions on women’s mobility, and incidents at checkpoints. These restrictions continue to impede female staff from reporting to duty and participating fully in humanitarian activities, while also limiting female beneficiaries’ access to assistance and essential services. Such restrictions and intimidation place the safety and security of female staff at heightened risk and continue to undermine their meaningful engagement in humanitarian operations.

Violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities decreased from five to three incidents in October. These included two cases of threats against humanitarian staff and one case of temporary detention, compared to five detentions recorded in the previous month. In addition, conflict and military operations along border areas persisted during the reporting period, leading to the temporary suspension of certain humanitarian operations, including the occupation of a reception centre by the de facto authorities.

Although the overall trend shows an apparent decline in reported incidents, persistent interference by the de facto authorities, the ongoing enforcement of gender restrictions and intermittent security threats continue to define a constrained and unpredictable operational environment for humanitarian actors. This apparent decrease is largely linked to a significant reduction in operational footprint and programming due to funding cuts since early 2025, suggesting that the decline in reported access constraints reflects reduced field presence rather than a substantive improvement in the access environment.