Severe funding cuts to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are threatening vital health services for women and girls in Afghanistan, where millions rely on the agency’s support for maternal care, reproductive health, and psychosocial services.
During a recent visit to the country, Andrew Saberton, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, witnessed firsthand the impact of dwindling resources in clinics across Kabul, Bamyan Province, and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He described the situation as “one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises,” adding that it remains largely overlooked by global media and donors.
In Bamyan, a remote mountainous province, Saberton observed women who had walked for hours—some heavily pregnant or carrying newborns—to access care at a small clinic. Teenage girls were receiving reproductive health education and basic menstrual hygiene kits, services made possible through UNFPA support.
The U.S. government recently announced a $330mn cut to UNFPA’s global funding, with $102mn slashed from programs in Afghanistan. According to Saberton, this reduction will have a direct impact on an estimated 6.9mn women and children.
The cuts will significantly reduce UNFPA’s reach in the country. Of the 900 health clinics the agency currently supports, only 400 may remain operational. Many of these facilities provide maternal care, family planning services, and psychosocial support—critical in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
A large portion of the funding was intended to support family health services and mobile healthcare units—both critical in Afghanistan, where maternal mortality remains among the highest globally.
Despite the financial constraints, UNFPA has committed to continuing its operations in Afghanistan. Saberton stressed the agency’s determination to stay and deliver services, but called for immediate international support to sustain its programs.
“UNFPA will be staying to deliver,” he said. “But we cannot sustain our response without help. We need urgent support to keep these services running and to protect the dignity, health and lives of Afghan women and newborns.”
The funding shortfall comes at a time when humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are growing. The country remains under Taliban rule, with limited access to education, employment, and healthcare for women and girls. Health workers on the ground continue to operate under challenging conditions, serving communities in hard-to-reach areas with minimal resources.
Saberton warned that without renewed commitment from the international community, millions risk being left behind.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)