Tag Archive for: Poverty in Afghanistan

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The Taliban and the Afghan People: Oppression and Poverty

Taliban and the Afghan PeopleFive years ago, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, dismantling two decades of legal reform and setting aside the country’s constitution in favor of the group’s own interpretation of Islamic law. For the Afghan people, and especially for women and girls, the impact of the Taliban has been severe and, according to a recent report from Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security, unprecedented in the modern era.

A Government Built on Decree

Before 2021, Afghanistan operated under a constitution that balanced Islamic identity with human rights protections rooted in international treaties: no law could contradict Islamic principles, but the legal system was still expected to align with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That framework collapsed after the Taliban takeover. The current government rules primarily through verbal and written decrees interpreting sharia law rather than through codified law, and discrimination based on gender, religious belief and social status has become part of the system itself.

The Taliban’s de facto authorities, referred to internationally as the DFA, have issued more than 100 decrees affecting the rights of women and girls since 2021. UN Women describes the scale of this transformation as without precedent, noting that no other country in modern history has dismantled the rights of half its population so systematically.

The Toll on Women and Girls

The numbers illustrate just how far-reaching the changes of the Taliban have been for the Afghan people. Under current decrees, husbands hold legal authority over their wives, and their disciplinary actions are only criminalized if they cause severe injury. Child marriage remains widespread: in 2023, 28.7% of Afghan women aged 20-24 had been married or in a union before age 18, including 9.6% who had been married or in a union before age 15.

Access to justice has narrowed sharply along gender lines, with only one woman able to reach legal recourse for every four men. Health care has suffered as well. Afghanistan’s maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 638 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, among the highest rates in the world. The psychological toll is just as stark: seven in 10 Afghan women now describe their mental health as bad or very bad.

Education and employment have been hit hardest of all. An estimated 78% of young Afghan women are not in education, employment or training, a level of exclusion that threatens to erase two decades of progress in a single generation.

These figures have fueled criticism of governments and institutions that condemned Taliban policy without meaningfully changing conditions on the ground, a critique that casts doubt on the effectiveness of purely diplomatic responses.

Support for the Afghan People Continues, Quietly

Despite the bleak headlines, international support for the Afghan people has not disappeared. It has largely moved out of the spotlight. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and supported by international donors, continues to fund humanitarian projects addressing basic needs, health care and nutrition. In 2025, for example, an AHF grant of $1.39 million supported six sub-health centers and 13 inpatient therapeutic feeding centers in four of the country’s most vulnerable provinces.

Civil society has stepped in where governments have pulled back, especially in education. Afghan girls barred from classrooms are increasingly turning to virtual and underground schooling run by small, often volunteer-driven organizations:

  • AESOP (Afghan Education Student Outreach Project) began in June 2022 with a single class of 19 girls. It has since grown into a program of nearly 600 students taught by close to 100 volunteer instructors, selected from more than 4,500 applicants, offering English, math, STEM and leadership courses. Several graduates have gone on to win scholarships at universities abroad.
  • Afghanistan Education Action, founded by educator Angela Ghayour, grew from the Herat Online School, which she started in 2021. AEA is now a UK-registered charity running three online schools, including one that helps students work toward internationally recognized qualifications. Some of its students have also received scholarships to study at schools and universities abroad.
  • LEARN Afghanistan, founded by activist Pashtana Durrani in 2018, built the country’s first digital school network. Before 2021, it already reached more than 10,000 students through 18 digital schools and trained hundreds of teachers; after the Taliban takeover, it resumed operations covertly within a month rather than shutting down.

Economic empowerment programs are showing effective results. In 2025 alone, UN Women directly supported more than 5,000 Afghan women entrepreneurs, including 940 women-led enterprises and 4,130 women who established income-generating livelihoods, in part through community-based and formal microloan mechanisms.

A Fragile Lifeline

These efforts remain small relative to what could be achieved with sustained government-level backing, and that backing is now at risk. More than half of the women-led organizations providing life-saving services in Afghanistan expect to suspend operations or close entirely within the next year because of aid cuts. That makes continued attention to the Afghan people’s situation more urgent, not less. The organizations working discreetly inside and outside the country have shown that meaningful change is still possible even under one of the most repressive governments. What they lack is not proof of the impact of the Taliban on the Afghan people, but the sustained support needed to scale it.

– Juan Guillermo Rueda Castrillón

Juan is based in Barcelona, Spain and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Afghanistan: Aid and Economic Challenges

Poverty in AfghanistanAfghanistan’s economy remains under severe pressure, and households are paying the price as humanitarian aid declines and economic challenges continue. In 2025, around 28 million people — three in four Afghans — were unable to meet their basic subsistence needs, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

Economic Pressures

Dr. Niamatullah Ibrahimi, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, spoke with The Borgen Project about the economic pressures facing Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s trade deficit widened to about $11.3 billion in 2025 as imports rose and exports remained stagnant. The UNDP also reports that population growth outpaced economic growth, contributing to falling income per person. Restrictions on women’s rights and employment continue to reduce women’s participation in the economy and weaken the country’s economic potential.

Ibrahimi explained, “The economy naturally contracted. Also there are other kinds of factors which slow investment and combine to drive greater unemployment in Afghanistan.”

Humanitarian Aid and Migration Issues

Afghanistan is already struggling to create enough jobs, and large-scale returns from neighboring countries are adding further pressure. Since September 2023, nearly 5.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan. In 2025 alone, 2.9 million people returned, placing additional strain on jobs, housing, water systems and public services.

Ibrahimi also highlighted this pressure, noting that migration “has increased the number of people, more burdened the government for employment.”

Inflation has added to the strain. By March 2026, inflation had climbed to 7.6%, driven in part by food prices, supply constraints and strong demand.

At the same time, humanitarian assistance has fallen sharply. Humanitarian aid declined by almost 70%, from $3.27 billion in 2022 to $1 billion in 2025. More than halfway through 2026, only $438 million had been secured. Funding shortages have forced hundreds of health facilities to close or reduce services.

Save the Children reported that it had kept 14 clinics open and was the only health care provider serving around 10,000 people in mountainous areas of northern Afghanistan. The funding crisis has also coincided with worsening acute malnutrition among children.

Ibrahimi said of declining aid, “Up until 2022 the UN did a good job, but since then aid has significantly declined. This is affecting everything, like, health, education, food resources maybe. In the distribution, you know, everything from nutrition, clinics that are quite important.”

For many families, prolonged economic insecurity has led to rising debt and difficult coping strategies. The UNDP reports that more than 80% of households are in debt and nearly three-quarters rely on negative coping strategies to get through the day.

Climate conditions make these challenges worse. Drought affected 64% of the country in 2025, while access to adequate drinking water fell to 44%, down from 59% in 2024.

India as a Neighboring Source of Support

Despite difficult relations with the Taliban in the past, India has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. India has also discussed development projects, water resource management and private-sector investment with Afghan authorities.

On Aug. 20, 2026, India delivered medicines and medical consumables to a government hospital in Kabul, continuing its health and humanitarian support for the Afghan people.

On the engagement of countries such as India, China and Russia, Ibrahimi raised an important question: whether diplomatic relations and aid are for the “survival of the people, or is it for the survival of the regime?”

International assistance is providing some relief, but Afghanistan continues to face widespread poverty, weak job creation, reduced aid and climate pressures. The UNDP has emphasized that humanitarian support must be accompanied by investment in livelihoods, services and local markets if households are to have a stronger chance of rebuilding their economic security.

– Tanay Ashok Sonthalia

Tanay is based in Melbourne, Australia and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Stitch by Stitch: Afghan Women Fight Poverty with Zardozi

ZardoziAccording to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), nearly 85% of Afghan women rely on less than $1 a day to successfully support their families while facing barriers to education, employment or economic authority within the household. Since 2020, the UNDP reports that Afghanistan that a devastating 29% economic downturn has gripped the nation, prompting women to find creative solutions in their fight against poverty.

Cherma Dozi, a well known and traditional Afghan embroidery style, celebrates underappreciated culture in the Middle East. It stands as one of many Zardozi patterns that showcases regional culture and beauty. Taking advantage of this common hobby is Zardozi, which is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that takes its name directly from the Afghan embroidery it promotes. It teaches women and girls in Afghanistan to create traditional stitching, protecting their economic opportunities under an oppressive government. This organization seeks to help women and girls find viable employment, participate in local markets and amplify their voices in the government.

Protecting Women

Zardozi embroidery utilizes basic fabrics that often fill Afghan homes and in local markets. Located in community spaces, Zardozi runs an embroidery business program, teaching women to sell their creations for profit. By learning how to sew this embroidery upon dresses, shirts and traditional attire, the program helps the girls to become proficient in sewing, embroidery and business skills. Nearly 1,000 Afghan women participate in the program. They currently operate four main centers in the cities of Kabul, Mazar, Jalalabad and Herat. These women also earn grants of $100 to get started. Notably, Zardozi formulates connections with local merchants and stores to purchase their goods.

Zardozi invites all women to participate, from advanced to beginners, all women, no matter their age. Nearly 2.2 million Afghan girls receive no formal schooling, emphasizing the importance of these programs. Serving as a vital alternative to typical school, these women learn, bond and grow as empowered leaders. By partnering with local markets, these women gain economic footing under an oppressive government. They develop a larger societal presence, stable connections and continued business growth even after graduating out of the program.

Preserving Culture

Historians believe Zardozi originated in Persia, and it remains a popular Middle Eastern embroidery technique. Throughout generations, women pass down familial techniques, formulating unique designs based on regional location and cultural lineage. More than 500 years old, Zardozi derives its name from two Persian words: “zar,” meaning gold, and “dozi,” meaning embroidery. It has appeared throughout history on traditional, royal attire for Asian countries. Using stones, beads and metallic thread, Zardozi creates stacked designs with layers of details and heavy material. Designs leap from the outfit, often favoring bright colors to symbolize luck and creativity.

Utilizing this ancient technique as a business foundation, Zardozi preserves key Afghan culture in the process. According to the University of London, traditional Afghan embroidery faces the risk of dying out due to a lack of interest from younger generations, volatile markets and competition from machine made products. Zardozi empowers these women to commercialize their products, protecting this vital craftsmanship from extinction.

Helping Afghanistan

Zardozi’s program transforms a traditional hobby into a powerful monetary asset, tackling systemic poverty in an innovative way. The program equips Afghan women with the market tactics, accounting basics and business skills to develop a sustainable livelihood.

As families pass down unique forms of Zardozi stitching from generation to generation, they teach young girls these sustainable practices allow them to support themselves while keeping their heritage alive. With Zardozi, women learn key skills and receive essential monetary support to combat local poverty, moving them one step closer to true economic gain, stability and a brighter future for all in Afghanistan.

– Maya Tung

Maya is based in Summit and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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US Funding to Alleviate Poverty in Sudan and Afghanistan

Poverty in SudanOn May 14, 2026, the United States (U.S.) contributed $1.8 billion in funding to the United Nations (U.N.) to assist in its humanitarian aid efforts worldwide. According to the U.S. State Department, these funds will be mainly allocated toward those struggling from famine and natural disasters. This funding increase, along with the $2 billion the U.S. contributed in December 2025, will support local projects that assist the most vulnerable in 21 countries. Importantly, the increased funding will also help address ongoing challenges of famine and health care in Sudan and Afghanistan, both of which require more support to alleviate rising poverty rates.

Current Situation in Sudan and Afghanistan

In recent weeks, the U.N. has publicly called for more countries to contribute funding for Sudan and Afghanistan. On May 15, 2026, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a report stating that 19.5 million people in Sudan, or 41% of the population, are struggling with high levels of food insecurity, including an estimated 825,000 children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 28 million people in Afghanistan were living in poverty in 2025, a figure that has changed little in 2026. These individuals are struggling to afford food, housing and health care due to economic hardships. However, increased U.S. funding enables U.N. agencies to address these issues more effectively.

Ongoing Aid Projects in Sudan

The increased funding from the U.S. will help strengthen ongoing aid projects in Sudan that tackle issues related to poverty. For example, as of May 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) runs the SANAD program, which has assisted over 182,000 household members in Sudan by providing them access to cash support and essential health care services. Additionally, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Sudan operates a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program that works to upgrade the water and sanitation infrastructure and distribute hygiene and cholera kits to prevent the spread of diseases and infections. Increased funding to the UN will enhance these programs that are already saving lives and will eventually contribute to ending the conflict in Sudan.

Basic Human Needs Programs in Afghanistan

The UN is currently running basic human needs programs (BHN) in Afghanistan that provide vulnerable communities access to essential services that can improve their quality of life. In 2025, BHN programs provided access to health care services to more than 34 million people struggling with urgent health conditions. Furthermore, the BHN programs have helped 4.6 million children deprived of schooling gain access to education. Since 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing food rations and nutrition assistance to more than 12.4 million people in Afghanistan. Thus, the increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. will empower its aid agencies to reach more vulnerable people in Afghanistan who urgently need food, health care and education.

Hope for the Most Vulnerable

The increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. results from the passionate advocacy of the U.N. and its local partner organizations for vulnerable communities in Sudan and Afghanistan. In Sudan, the U.N. and the IRC have raised awareness of the millions who have accessed essential health care services, clean water, and food, as well as the millions still living in poverty. In Afghanistan, the U.N. and the WFP have highlighted the millions of children who have finally accessed education and nutrition assistance, while emphasizing that the work is far from over. This advocacy means millions of vulnerable women and children will now be able to study and eat healthy food, eventually leading to a higher quality of life for everyone.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Telemedicine: Health Care access for Afghan Women

Health Care access for Afghan WomenAfghanistan, a country beset by constant, unequivocal political unrest, faces a time of profound inequality. When the Taliban reasserted control over the country in August 2021, a cascade of reactions found the country’s health care system on the verge of collapse. In the first half of that year alone, Taliban forces attacked health care facilities, leaving 12 health care workers dead and damaging more than 25 buildings.

The impact on Afghan women has cut the deepest. Now lacking almost all fundamental rights, health care has taken a backseat. Not a single woman received screening for any cancer form and less than 10% received screening for sexually transmitted infections. Even where diagnosis is possible, treatment for these demographics remains virtually inaccessible. 

Barriers to Health Care Access for Afghan Women

These obstacles to health care access for Afghan women are not accidental but structural. The Taliban’s governance has systematically dismantled the conditions in which women can safely seek and receive medical attention. At the center of this is the Mahram Policy, which requires female health workers to be accompanied by a male guardian at all times outside the home.

On December 21, 2022, women were banned from working with NGOs nationwide, except in health care. Yet the requirement for them to be chaperoned now hinders their ability to provide and receive adequate health care. Even when women reach a facility, barriers persist; whether they would like to or not, male doctors can scarcely provide the necessary care except in life-threatening conditions. 

Additionally, medicines are in short supply and the financial burden of travel pushes families to impossible decisions, leading women to disregard their health and rely on traditional cures. 

The Organizations Still Showing Up

Despite the deteriorating environment, the international humanitarian response has been remarkable. In 2024 alone, nearly one million patients, 65% of whom were women and children, received primary care across 47 implemented health facilities. Alongside these infrastructural changes, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has upgraded equipment, improved staff competency and educated hospitals on mass-casualty incidents. 

Through expanding services into urban areas, organizations like the ICRC are pivotal in improving access to health care and alleviating difficult living conditions in Afghanistan. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has equally refused to retreat. Operating across eight provinces, MSF has seen the number of patients it treats double in the last three years. 

The organization prioritizes the most acute needs: emergency trauma care, maternal health and malnutrition. In 2024 alone, the organization admitted more than 400,000 emergency patients and assisted in more than 45,000 births. Despite attacks from the Taliban, the remaining feeding center and trauma facility in Kunduz have become vital for Afghanistan’s health care infrastructure.

What makes these organizations so significant is not just the scale of their operations but the conditions under which they persist. They hold together the health care system in a place of such turmoil, despite uncertain funding, restrictions on female staff and the collapse of broader public health systems. 

Telemedicine: A Bridge No Wall Can Close

Among the most promising developments for Afghanistan’s health care system is the expansion of telemedicine. When physical access is blocked by Taliban restrictions, a mobile phone may still get through. Telemedicine is being pursued by many organizations and charities, with evidence of its impact.

The Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening project connected seven tertiary care facilities with 14 secondary care facilities across the region. The project enabled more than 6,000 teleconsultations and delivered 52 e-learning sessions to more than 2,000 health staff. A tele-ICU service running from 2020 to 2023 provided the same number of teleconsultations to nearly 1,600 patients. 

This began as a response to COVID-19 before expanding into neonatal, pediatric and surgical critical care. Researchers found that increased consultation frequency was associated with reduced patient mortality, demonstrating clinical applicability. 

Arian Teleheal

Dr. Waheed Arian grew up in Afghanistan during the Soviet conflict, sheltering in cellars from rockets and bombs. Later, his family fled to Pakistan, where he contracted malaria and tuberculosis in a refugee camp. He arrived in the U.K. at 15 with $100 in his pocket, went on to study medicine at Cambridge and is now the founder of Arian Teleheal.

Founded in 2015, Arian Teleheal began by connecting Afghan hospitals to a global network of volunteer specialists via smartphones and tablets. As expensive medical systems are inaccessible to medics in these low-resource settings, this enables medical personnel and patients to receive appropriate care by being routed to a network of more than 150 international volunteers. The results have been unparalleled, with a three-year study finding that Arian Teleheal’s volunteers have helped care for thousands of patients. 

The organization has also since partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide emergency, mental health and psychosocial support to people in need across the globe.

Final Remarks

Initiatives such as these show great promise for those in need in Afghanistan, who face a health care system rocked by political repression, stripping the right to provide medical care freely. As humanitarian organizations struggle to fill the gap, telemedicine is emerging as a quiet revolution. Where Taliban restrictions try to block the door, a smartphone may still get through.

 – Juliette Dall’Aglio

Juliette is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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SDG 3 in Afghanistan: Health Gains and Persistent Barriers

SDG 3 in AfghanistanAfghanistan is still struggling to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for everyone. The country scores low on key health indicators and recent reports indicate that millions of people need humanitarian health support due to the system’s heavy strain. Years of conflict, economic problems and less international support have made Afghanistan’s health crisis worse. 

In 2024, Human Rights Watch said that big cuts in funding and technical help after the Taliban takeover have badly hurt the health care system, putting millions at higher risk of illness and poor care. These cuts have led to clinic closures and reduced services, leaving families with fewer treatment options. Even so, aid groups have kept some basic care going through emergency programs. 

Maternal and Child Health Remain Fragile

Maternal and child health is still one of the most urgent problems for SDG 3 in Afghanistan. Limits on women’s education and work in health care have made it harder to find female health workers. As a result, women and girls face more obstacles to accessing care, especially since many families already have trouble reaching clinics. 

In traditional areas, cultural rules mean women often need female providers, but there are even fewer now. This shortage puts women at greater risk during pregnancy and childbirth, when fast care can save lives. In 2025, UNICEF said that 14.3 million people in Afghanistan needed humanitarian health support and 857,000 children under 5 were expected to need treatment for severe malnutrition. 

The same report said that in May, more than seven million people got basic health services from UNICEF-supported clinics and mobile teams. These teams go to remote villages to give checkups, vaccines and nutrition support where regular clinics cannot reach. Their work helps improve child health and reduce deaths from preventable illnesses such as diarrhea and respiratory infections.

Aid Groups Address Service Gaps

Humanitarian groups still provide many of Afghanistan’s most important health services. UNICEF-supported clinics and mobile teams have helped families who might not otherwise receive care. Reports show these services are still vital for meeting urgent health needs. 

Groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) also supply medicines and train local staff to handle outbreaks and regular care. By focusing on primary health care, these groups help prevent small problems from becoming emergencies. Still, the overall health system is unstable. 

A 2025 report warned that closing health centers due to funding cuts has worsened the risks of disease and malnutrition. These shutdowns hit rural areas the hardest, where people already must travel far for care. Aid cannot fully replace public clinics, but it helps fill gaps when there is not enough funding or staff.

Other organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, run hospitals in conflict zones and treat thousands of people for war injuries, infections and childbirth complications. Their teams often work in tents or damaged buildings, showing how aid can adapt to tough conditions. These efforts support SDG 3 by keeping emergency and basic care available when government services cannot.

Disease Prevention Remains Critical

Disease prevention is also an important part of SDG 3 in Afghanistan. UNICEF’s 2025 report found more cases of acute watery diarrhea and warned that Afghanistan is still at high risk for outbreaks. Poor sanitation, hard-to-reach clinics and malnutrition can quickly turn common illnesses into serious emergencies. Weak water systems and crowded living conditions make it easier for diseases like cholera to spread, especially in summer.

Due to these risks, public health work in Afghanistan focuses on both treatment and prevention. Vaccination campaigns, nutrition checks and mobile health services help reduce preventable deaths, especially among children under 5, who are still most at risk. Programs target diseases like measles, polio and pneumonia, which take many young lives each year. Community health workers also teach families about hygiene and warning signs, helping build local skills for lasting improvements.

Mental health support is now another important focus. Conflict and displacement have left many people with trauma and NGOs now offer counseling at community centers. This work supports SDG 3’s broader goal of well-being, as untreated stress can worsen physical health problems.

Concluding Remarks

Progress toward SDG 3 in Afghanistan has been uneven. The Sustainable Development Report 2025 tracks the country’s SDG results and health is still a major concern, even though there have been some small improvements in services. Vaccination rates have stayed steady in some provinces and more children are getting treatment for malnutrition than before. These steps show that targeted aid can make a difference during a crisis.

Even so, the ongoing work of aid groups and health workers offers hope for improvement. Millions of people are getting care through supported clinics, which is crucial in a country with a weak health system. For Afghanistan to achieve SDG 3, these short-term gains need to become a lasting system of care.

Stable funding, more trained female staff and better roads could turn fragile progress into lasting health security. Until then, humanitarian efforts remain the main support for SDG 3.

– Niaz Youssefian

Niaz is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Flickr

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How Agriculture in Afghanistan Helps Fight Poverty

Agriculture in AfghanistanAfghanistan is a country located between Central and South Asia. It has a tumultuous political history and returned to Taliban rule in August 2021. This seizure of power led to international funding for the country being cut. As instructed by donor governments, the World Bank canceled a payment of $2 billion that Afghanistan would have received through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). Previously, the country was almost fully dependent on foreign aid. As a result, this sudden cut in aid had devastating impacts on an already struggling population.

In 2019, only 52.9% of the population lived above the national poverty line. In 2023, 31% of the population faced severe food insecurity. In 2024, 13.7% of the labor force was unemployed, and nearly 70% of the population lacked access to safely managed drinking water services. Organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Afghanaid aim to improve agriculture in Afghanistan. Through these efforts, they seek to expand employment opportunities, improve food access and help empower local communities.

Agriculture as a Livelihood for Most Afghans

Climate change and natural disasters continue to harm food security and increase poverty in Afghanistan due to the country’s heavy reliance on agriculture. The sector serves as the main source of income for nearly 80% of the population. As a result, climate-related challenges such as drought can have significant economic consequences.

The ICRC and Afghanaid aim to mitigate these impacts by constructing and repairing irrigation systems. Irrigation, defined as the artificial application of water to land, is essential for agriculture in Afghanistan due to low rainfall and recurring drought conditions.

Irrigation Projects Improve Food Security and Employment

The work carried out by these organizations supports both crops and communities. In 2024, the ICRC supported more than 27,000 people through community-based initiatives focused on repairing irrigation systems. These efforts spanned 11 provinces and, while temporary, improved water supply for thousands of residents and made crops more viable, increasing food availability. A joint effort between the ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society helped improve yields for up to 1,400 farmers. Increased production allowed farmers to sell crops beyond their immediate communities, generating broader economic benefits.

Afghanaid also worked to improve agriculture by supporting the construction of a 113-meter (approximately 370-foot) irrigation canal built by local residents. These canals help distribute water more effectively and reduce water loss through ground absorption. More than 2,000 people benefited from improved water access, which increased crop yields and household income. The project also created employment for 13 people during the construction phase.

Ensuring Long-Term Agricultural Sustainability

For these initiatives to have a lasting impact, agricultural practices in Afghanistan must be sustainable. The ICRC provides training to farmers on sustainable techniques. For example, 200 farmers in Kapisa province received training on reducing post-harvest crop loss and were provided with silos for improved storage. In Paryan district, 80 farmers were trained to promote good agronomic practices and raise awareness about climate and environmental risks.

Before these interventions, irrigation systems in Afghanistan often suffered damage due to ongoing conflict. As a result, Afghanaid also focuses on conflict resolution to help protect newly built canals. The organization established a Community Conflict Mitigation Committee made up of eight local residents trained in de-escalation and conflict prevention techniques. When disputes arise, committee members work to diffuse tensions and promote dialogue and cooperation.

– Ryan Cowen

Ryan is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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GPEI Funding: $1.9 Billion Toward the Fight Against Polio

Fight Against PolioPoliovirus is a highly infectious viral disease that attacks the nervous system and could lead to paralysis or even death, mainly affecting children. Today, the virus mainly affects Afghanistan and Pakistan, along with other developing nations. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that works to eradicate polio completely.

On December 8, 2025, it was announced that political leaders had collectively pledged $1.9 billion to the GPEI. In the fight against Polio, this generous fund has the potential to protect hundreds of millions of children from polio each year and possibly eradicate the virus.

How Polio Affects the World Today

Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries where vaccines have not eliminated wild poliovirus. Other developing nations with low immunization rates continue to experience outbreaks of virus variants. This year, there have been 39 paralysis cases across Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Although polio cases are currently rare, “failure to stop polio in these last remaining areas could result in a global resurgence of the disease.” It is important to eradicate this virus in order to prevent it from spreading once again. Efforts have come very close to eradication and the recent GPEI funding will help bring the world even closer to this goal.

Successes in the Fight Against Polio

The GPEI was established in 1988 with the goal of ensuring that every child receives a polio vaccination. Since then, polio cases have dropped by 99% and vaccines have prevented approximately 20 million cases of paralysis. The virus once affected thousands of children across more than 100 countries but has now been eliminated in all except two, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where only a handful of cases occur each year.

About the Funds Against Polio

Pledges to the GPEI came from multiple donors, including:

  • $1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation
  • $450 million from Rotary International
  • $140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity
  • $100 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies
  • $154 million from Pakistan
  • $62 million from Germany
  • $46 million from the United States
  • $6 million from Japan
  • $4 million from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA)
  • $3 million from Luxembourg

These funds will help protect 370 million children from polio through vaccination and reduce GPEI’s remaining resource gap. The shortage of vaccines and resources is a key reason polio still persists. With this recent funding, the complete eradication of poliovirus could become achievable.

– Renata Hirmiz

Renata is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How are the USAID cuts impacting Afghan girls and women?

Afghan girls and womenThe dissolution of the USAID was a devastating blow to global humanitarian efforts. It hit Afghanistan particularly hard, where the funding supported vital programs, including education and health. It made the consequences even harsher for Afghan girls and women, for whom the suspended funding only exacerbated their vulnerability.

USAID

An independent agency of the government, USAID, was the primary organization which, over the decades, delivered tens of billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. Between 2014 and 2023, USAID’s top sectors of assistance were Health, at $80.7 billion, and Humanitarian Assistance, at $65.1 billion.

Since its establishment, USAID has helped save millions of lives through diverse programs. This includes war relief in Ukraine, improving maternal and child health, running HIV prevention programs that saved the lives of more than 25 million, and providing support during the humanitarian crisis in Congo.

In March 2025, the Trump administration announced that it would eliminate 83% of USAID programs. Of the 6,200 global programs, close to 5,200 were cancelled, while the remaining would be taken over by the State Department.

Helping Afghanistan

The United States of America, through USAID, has been the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 2013. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2024 alone, the U.S. funded more than $700 million in humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, which accounted for 45.6% of the country’s total aid. With the aid Afghanistan received that year, more than 20 million people received assistance and support, with women making up 29%.

In 2025, the U.S. suspended $562 million in remaining aid to Afghanistan. This impacted programs that supported education, healthcare, and famine preparedness. It severely affected women, as the government had already curtailed their freedoms.

Education

Soon after the Taliban took control of the government in Afghanistan, it suspended education for girls and women beyond primary school, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to restrict female secondary and higher education. It banned more than 2 million girls and women from receiving education. According to UNESCO, by 2066, this could result in estimated losses of almost $10 billion, a figure amounting to two-thirds of the country’s present GDP. This could risk driving more people into poverty.

USAID cuts have disrupted funding that attempted to tackle the inaccessibility to education through online and underground programs for Afghan girls and women. The cuts also led to the termination of scholarships of more than 80 girls from Afghanistan who were studying in Oman. Despite a reprieve, their future remained uncertain, filling them with dread.

Health

Following the cuts, out of 900 UNFPA-supported clinics in Afghanistan, it may no longer be possible to support 500 of them.

Every two hours, a woman in Afghanistan dies from pregnancy, childbirth or related complications, most of which are preventable with skilled healthcare. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, and the funding would have been used to run these clinics, provide psychosocial support, family health services and mobile care. The cuts will therefore impact 6.9 million women and children in Afghanistan.

Food Insecurity

The funding cuts have also eliminated food aid, affecting famine-prevention programs and leaving millions without support. While the United States resumed global food aid, it did not do so in two countries, including Afghanistan. The women and children there, who already bear the brunt of the hunger crisis, face an added risk of malnutrition, illness and death. While women-headed households are already facing difficulties, two-thirds cannot meet the cost of basic food needs, a statistic 20% higher than that for male-headed households. In response, women have been forced to resort to dangerous strategies to survive, some of which include seeking cash handouts or arranging marriages for their young daughters.

Looking ahead

While USAID cuts have been a devastating blow to women’s socioeconomic conditions in Afghanistan, other initiatives continue to work to support and empower Afghan women and girls.

U.N. Women Afghanistan and the Government of Japan have launched a notable initiative to strengthen women’s leadership and resilience in Afghanistan. It aimed to reach over 25,000 people by directly supporting 3,700 women. The program equips women with resources and opportunities to not only improve their own livelihoods but also to build a sustainable future for their communities. Running for one year, it would increase women’s access to finance and technology.

UNDP also continues to provide a lifeline for 8 million women, with its core funding exhibiting long-term results. A $4 million seed investment in 2024 enabled more than $34 million in additional funding to support nearly 80,000 female-led micro and small businesses, create almost 400,000 jobs, and positively impact over 2.7 million people. Some of the initiatives taken include developing women’s digital skills, providing solar power, implementing microcredit programs, and enhancing their financial literacy, among others. Through these efforts, the UNDP has fostered women’s entrepreneurship in Afghanistan, helping women achieve economic independence.

– Priya Doshi

Priya is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Maternal and Child Malnutrition in Afghanistan

Malnutrition in AfghanistanWith more than 15 million people in Afghanistan experiencing acute food insecurity, women and children are facing the brunt of this harsh reality. Afghanistan is among the most dangerous countries for babies, children and mothers, with soaring rates of malnutrition and access to health care beyond reach for many.

Causes of the Afghan Food Crisis

The high levels of food instability in Afghanistan are driven primarily by a fragile economy, exacerbated by sociopolitical turmoil and environmental disasters. These disasters have recently had an especially severe impact on food security, as about 80% of Afghanistan’s population consists of farmers who rely on their own production for sustenance and income. Because of environmental instability, harvests are often lost or missed due to displacement, leaving markets empty.

Social mores and low health literacy also hinder women’s access to and understanding of proper nutrition for themselves and their children. Taliban restrictions on women’s education and mobility have severely curtailed their access to care. Additionally, increased poverty means that many women, especially pregnant women, are unable to utilize health care services such as perinatal visits.

Women are also unable to travel without being escorted by a male relative, hindering their access to pre- and postnatal care. The systematic stripping of women’s autonomy in Afghanistan means that malnutrition is having disastrous consequences for pregnant women, mothers and their children. On top of these, donor funding and NGO intervention were cut following the Taliban takeover in 2021, as Taliban policies limited how much donors were willing to help.

Health Care System

Afghanistan’s health care system is highly reliant on foreign aid. When this abruptly stopped in 2021, preventative education and care for those malnourished ceased, affecting women and children the most. Sanctions were imposed on the Taliban government, further restricting Afghan citizens’ access to food and medical supplies.

This crisis has been exacerbated by Afghanistan’s largest donor, the U.S., halting nearly all aid earlier this year. John Aylieff, the WFP’s country director, underscored the impact of these cuts, stating, “Food assistance kept a lid on this country hunger and malnutrition… The lid has now been lifted. The soaring of malnutrition is placing the lives of more than three million children in peril.”

Consequences of Malnutrition for Mothers and Their Children

The year began in Afghanistan with one of the highest recorded increases in child malnutrition, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 24 months receiving adequate quantities and quality of food. The food crisis also has a deeply gendered dimension. According to UNICEF, women are disproportionately affected and the gender gap in food access continues to widen.

Women’s and girls’ health is crucial to infants’ health, as malnutrition creates an intergenerational cycle. When women lack adequate nutrition, rates of undernourished children rise, with devastating consequences for growth and learning. According to the U.N., nearly half of all Afghan children are stunted due to limited diets.

Since the Taliban takeover, the situation has only continued to worsen and new insights have come forth in a report by Johns Hopkins titled “The Crisis of Maternal and Child Health in Afghanistan.” One third of the health professionals interviewed have perceived that infant and maternal mortality have increased. Another lamented that women in labor or those with sick children do not come to clinics for lack of money or fears of the Taliban.

The rise in child mortality is visible across Afghanistan. At the Sheidaee graveyard, BBC journalists counted graves with no official records. They found that roughly two-thirds belonged to children. They also visited the malnutrition ward of Badakhshan Regional Hospital, where 26 children shared 12 beds.

The youngest patient, Sana, was only three months old and suffered from malnutrition, acute diarrhea and a cleft lip. When journalists followed up with her family, they learned that Sana had sadly passed away.

What Is Being Done?

Despite this, there has been a shift toward community-based prevention efforts to aid malnutrition in women and children. In August this year, UNICEF and the WFP launched a joint plan to stop child wasting in Afghanistan. This action reinforces the importance of maternal nutrition, local food solutions and the convergence of community-based services.

What is evident here is a renewed push to address the root causes of malnutrition. They have pledged to ensure malnourished children receive treatment and help break the intergenerational cycle by improving breastfeeding practices and nutrition education. The WFP has also offered women safe spaces through its skills training and livelihood programs, which offer women the opportunity to earn an income and build a community.

While there have been significant strides to address malnutrition in Afghanistan, aid is under constant threat of being slashed due to funding cuts. As UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell commented, “When a girl or woman does not get adequate nutrition, gender inequality is perpetuated.” A well-balanced diet is the bedrock of child survival, so it is integral that life-saving support is directed to those who need it most.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr