Afghanistan

10 December 2024

On 2 December 2024, the Taliban issued a new decree to ban women from attending medical training – one of the last higher education opportunities that were left for women in the country. This ban will worsen an already fragile healthcare system, leaving countless Afghan women without access to adequate care. The country is facing a severe shortage of medical professionals – particularly female doctors, nurses, and midwives. In Afghanistan, women are not allowed to see male doctors for treatment. If the ban is implemented, this contradictory decision may lead to increased risk of illness and death for women caused by a lack of healthcare access. In 2024, about 23.7 million people are projected to be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan; 77% of them are women and children, and approximately 17.9 million require health assistance. Afghanistan is one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates, with 638 mothers dying for every 100,000 births. ([HRW 03/12/2024] (https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/03/afghanistans-taliban-ban-medical-training-women), [MSF 06/12/2024] (https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/excluding-women-medical-institutes-threatens-future-healthcare-afghanistan), [UNHCR 08/12/2024] (https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/unhcr-afghanistan-women-and-girls-factsheet-october-2024))

24 July 2024

From 15–16 July 2024, heavy rainfall and flash floods affected several provinces in eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, killing at least 58 people, injuring 380, and likely displacing many others. The impact also destroyed 550 tents In the Omari IDP camp and damaged many WASH facilities. People’s needs include food, shelter, health services, and clean drinking water. (OCHA 21/07/2024, IR 22/07/2024)

18 June 2024

Until 1 June 2024, over 610,000 individuals had returned to Afghanistan since the Ministry of Interior in Pakistan announced its Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in September 2023. The return process is still underway, albeit slower than at the end of 2023. Among the most recent 21,821 returnees who arrived between 16–31 May 2024, 37% were elderly, 22% were individuals with chronic diseases, and 21% were women. These people might need tailored assistance. Overall, the most pressing needs of the returnees include financial support, shelter, and employment opportunities. (IOM accessed 18/06/2024, IOM 07/06/2024)

29 May 2024

An estimated 6.5 million children will likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) food insecurity in 2024 given the impact of floods, droughts, and the mass return of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Heavy rains are likely to intensify in the coming months, leading to more floods and further affecting food insecurity. (STC 27/05/2024, WFP 21/05/2024)

13 May 2024

From 10–11 May 2024, heavy rainfall and flash floods hit northeastern Afghanistan, affecting 21 districts across Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Takhar provinces, with Baghlan facing the most impacts. The disaster has displaced an unknown number of people, who need emergency shelter, food and NFIs, medical supplies, safe drinking water, and hygiene kits. By 14 May, at least 330 people had died from the impact, the majority of whom were in Baghlan province. By 12 May, the floods had destroyed or damaged nearly 9,000 homes. Civilian infrastructure, such as key health facilities and water supply systems, has sustained significant damage. Flooding has also affected agricultural land and livestock. Some access restrictions from road damage are likely to hinder aid delivery. (OCHA 12/05/2024, ECHO 14/05/2024, FloodList 13/05/2024)

18 April 2024

In 2024, food, education, and shelter are among the key needs of the about 250,000 children in Afghanistan who have recently returned from Pakistan. Since September 2023, over 520,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan after the latter announced that all foreigners in the country without valid documents would be forced to leave by 1 November or face arrest and deportation. (STC 18/04/2024, ACAPS 07/12/2023)

28 February 2024

Since November 2023, Afghanistan has been experiencing an increase in suspected measles cases, driven by high community transmission worsened by winter conditions and inadequate immunisation coverage. Since January 2024, approximately 6,000 cases have been reported, resulting in 24 deaths. The majority of those affected are children under five. (WHO 22/02/2024)