Afghanistan remains within the top of Watchlist for 2023 – dropping from number one not because of an improvement in conditions, but because of the severity of the situation in East Africa. Here’s what you need to know about the humanitarian emergency.
Two years since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, commonly known as the Taliban) took power, prompting international donors to suspend most non-humanitarian funding and freeze billions of dollars in assets, Afghans are feeling the devastating impacts of the economic collapse. A staggering 28.8 million people are currently in urgent need of support, marking an increase of nearly 60% compared to the previous year.
Decades of conflicts and climate change have not only shattered infrastructure but also forced millions to flee their homes. The relentless cycle of droughts and natural disasters is further exacerbated by soaring food prices and a significant lack of income opportunities for countless people who cannot access work.
In addition, globally, Afghanistan ranks 170th out of 170 countriesfor women’s inclusion, justice and security. Chilling announcements in December 2022 banned women from attending university and working for NGOs like the International Rescue Committee. The latter decision forced the IRC and other NGOs to suspend services as we cannot deliver services without female staff. (Since then, negotiations have since allowed the IRC to resume and expand the majority of our operations.)