US Aid Cuts Have Worsened the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

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Andrew Saberton, the Executive Deputy Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), stated following his recent visit to Afghanistan that the suspension of US financial aid has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the country.

During a press conference yesterday, Saberton emphasized that the $100 million aid from the United States to this organization was halted simultaneously with the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. According to him, this move will deprive 6.3 million people, mostly women, of life-saving care provided by the United Nations Population Fund.

He warned that refugees returning from neighboring countries might face serious threats inside Afghanistan.

The Executive Deputy Director of UNFPA also added that the deprivation of education for girls has paved the way for an increase in forced and early marriages.

Saberton specified that the main victims of these aid cuts are women and girls who need health and medical services.

Previously, Tom Fletcher, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), had also visited Afghanistan and warned about the humanitarian crisis and the devastating impact of the aid cuts.