UN OCHA calls for increased aid to millions of needy Afghans during Ramadan

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan has called for increased aid to millions of needy people as Ramadan begins. In a note on X dated Thursday, 30 Dalu, OCHA stated that more than 21 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. It highlighted that millions will fast and share iftar meals during the holy month, while returnee families are compelled to rebuild their lives.

OCHA also pointed to earthquake-affected families in eastern Afghanistan, noting that additional aid could help them access shelter, food, drinking water and health services. Over 17 million Afghans face severe food insecurity amid poverty and unemployment, according to reports.

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in a press release on the same day, said it has built resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas with support from the UN Trust Fund for Afghanistan. These include canals and floodways to protect residents from natural disasters. UN-Habitat previously warned of rising annual temperatures placing cities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Recent snowfalls, rains and floods in several provinces have caused significant casualties and damage. A spokesperson for the Taliban's natural disaster management authority stated in early Dalu that at least 61 people were killed and 110 injured due to heavy snow over three days.

John Ayliffe of the World Food Programme (WFP) told the Associated Press that the agency must reject three out of every four applicants due to insufficient funds, describing the situation as unprecedented in his over 30 years of experience. WFP can now assist only 2 million of the 17.4 million facing acute hunger, with reduced rations. Budgets have fallen from 600 million dollars in 2024 to about 200 million expected this year, amid competing global crises including Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. UNICEF has warned that rising child malnutrition increases mortality risk by up to 12 times.

Separately, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned a Taliban diplomat over a 27 Dalu terrorist attack in Bajaur that killed 11 soldiers, accusing Taliban Pakistan leadership of operating from Afghan soil with impunity and demanding action against terrorist groups.