UN Warns Of Aid Shortfall In Afghanistan Without Continued US Support

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that millions of Afghans could be deprived of life-saving assistance this year unless support from the United States continues.

In a report released on Wednesday, OCHA highlighted that the United States was the largest donor to Afghanistan in 2024, contributing $736 million, equivalent to 45 percent of the total humanitarian aid provided to the country.

As of the end of February 2025, an estimated 7.3 million people had received at least one form of humanitarian aid, down from 8.6 million during the same period in 2024. The report noted that of the 23.7 million people in need of assistance last year, 20.4 million received some form of aid, with 3.4 million receiving three or more types of support. Women made up 29 percent of all aid recipients.

Looking ahead, OCHA projects that only 12.5 million people will receive aid in 2025 if US support is not renewed, despite the number of people in need remaining high at 22.9 million. The agency stressed that $1.62 billion in funding is required to adequately address humanitarian needs this year.

OCHA also emphasised that over the past two and a half decades, the United States has consistently been the largest contributor to humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. However, this flow of assistance was disrupted following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, casting uncertainty over future aid commitments.