Bruno Lemarquis, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, has warned that declining international aid has put around 700 healthcare facilities in the country at risk of closure.

Speaking at a UN press briefing on Friday (6 November), he said these facilities account for approximately 40 per cent of Afghanistan’s primary healthcare centres and are at risk of closure due to reductions in international aid funding between 2025 and 2026.

According to the UN official, humanitarian funding for Afghanistan declined from $2 billion in 2023 to $1 billion in 2025, while only around $570 million has been received so far in 2026.

Lemarquis also warned that restrictions imposed on women and girls have severely affected their access to education, employment and participation in public life.

He added that declining humanitarian assistance, combined with growing economic needs and the return of millions of migrants, is placing further pressure on public services and vulnerable families.

The UN official urged the international community not to abandon Afghanistan amid the current challenges and called for continued humanitarian support for its people.