More than 10.7 million women and girls in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance in 2026 as funding cuts, restrictions and shortages of female health workers place maternal services under growing pressure, the United Nations says.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said “Women and girls remain among the most affected by Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.” in its June update.

The report said restrictions on movement, education and employment are limiting access to essential services and reducing care provided by female professionals.

OCHA estimated that Afghanistan recorded 638 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2024, the highest rate in Asia and seventh highest globally.

It warned, “Shortages of female health workers, funding reductions, limited access to essential medicines and gaps in emergency obstetric care are contributing to preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare remains limited.”

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Women in remote areas of Bamyan may travel for several hours on damaged roads to reach emergency obstetric care. Bamyan Provincial Hospital is the province’s only facility with neonatal intensive care capacity. 

OCHA also cited a United Nations Children’s Fund estimate that Afghanistan could lose more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 if restrictions on girls’ education continue.

Taliban calls for more aid

Taliban authorities have called for continued international assistance and said humanitarian aid should remain separate from politics.

On 4 July, Nooruddin Turabi, head of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, urged the UN to maintain uninterrupted assistance and strengthen coordination. He said political considerations should not influence humanitarian aid. 

The UN says nearly 22 million people need help across Afghanistan in 2026. According to the UN, the response plan had received only 15% of the required funding as of 8 June.

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