A new report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that Taliban-imposed restrictions have intensified Afghanistan’s education and humanitarian crises, leaving millions of vulnerable people at risk.
According to the Humanitarian Update – January 2025, more than 1.5 million girls remain banned from attending school above grade six. In 2024 alone, 52,000 children, mostly girls, dropped out of school due to restrictive policies, poverty, and return-related challenges.
OCHA reports a drastic decline in community-based education, with only 1,315 out of 4,332 local classes still operating after Taliban authorities moved control from NGOs to provincial education departments.
Humanitarian access also deteriorated. In 2024, 1,659 incidents were recorded, with 1,260 linked to Taliban interference. These include restrictions on female aid workers, invasive data requests, and harassment of staff. Male workers have been detained at checkpoints for violating appearance codes, such as beard length.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has launched a cash assistance program targeting 1,000 vulnerable families in Kabul. Each household receives $156 per month for three months to cover essential needs like food and shelter.
OCHA estimates $93.3 million is needed in 2025 to support 831,000 children with emergency education. So far, only $7.9 million has been secured. The agency urges donors and the international community to act swiftly, warning that without immediate support, “an entire generation may be left behind.”
