“UN: Nearly $13 Billion in Aid Sent to Afghanistan Since 2021”

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, has revealed that the international community has provided nearly $13 billion in aid to Afghanistan since the fall of Kabul in 2021.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Wednesday, Otunbayeva emphasized that, despite concerns voiced in some reports, the majority of this aid has been delivered without significant interference from the authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

“In the past three years, acting under the authority granted by the Security Council and engaging with pragmatic officials, I have worked to improve the lives of the Afghan people,” she stated, underscoring that constructive engagement has allowed for some tangible progress.

According to UN figures, of the nearly $13 billion allocated since 2021, $7.9 billion was directed toward humanitarian assistance, addressing urgent needs such as food security, healthcare, and shelter. Meanwhile, $4.9 billion supported essential services and basic infrastructure, including education, livelihood support, and healthcare delivery.

Otunbayeva noted that, since August 2021, Afghanistan has experienced a sharp decline in armed conflict, creating a comparatively stable security environment across much of the country. While acknowledging that stability has come at the cost of severe restrictions on rights and freedoms, she remarked that this security context has facilitated the delivery of aid and essential services.

She further highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s ban on poppy cultivation introduced in spring 2023, which remains largely enforced. This measure, while challenging for farmers in the short term, has been described by UN officials as beneficial to the region and the world at large, particularly in combating the global narcotics trade.

At the same time, Otunbayeva urged the international community to remain vigilant and compassionate in dealing with Afghanistan’s complex humanitarian and political crisis. She appealed to countries hosting Afghan refugees to avoid forced deportations of vulnerable individuals, stressing that safe and legal pathways must be expanded for those at risk, particularly women, activists, and former government employees.

While her mandate in Afghanistan has now concluded, Otunbayeva said many Afghans wish to continue engaging with the global community in hopes of building a more sustainable and inclusive future. She cautioned, however, that progress will remain limited unless greater attention is given to advancing the rights and opportunities of Afghan women and girls, who continue to face some of the most severe restrictions in the world under Taliban rule.

“Afghanistan stands at a crossroads,” she said. “The international community has provided extraordinary levels of support, but the ultimate outcome will depend on whether meaningful steps can be taken inside the country toward respect for human rights, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.”

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