Key facts
- UN officials are urging Western nations to engage with Afghanistan to prevent instability.
- They warned that ignoring Afghanistan has negative repercussions beyond its borders, including drugs, extremism, and refugee movements.
- Afghanistan is facing multiple crises, including natural disasters and a large influx of returning refugees.
- International aid has been significantly cut, impacting essential services.
- Despite challenges, UN officials noted progress in security and combating drug production.
Two senior United Nations officials have called on Western nations to actively engage with Afghanistan to avert further instability, warning that ignoring the country could have far-reaching consequences.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih and United Nations Development Program head Alexander De Croo emphasized that engagement is wiser than isolation, citing potential risks such as increased drug trafficking, extremism, criminal activity, and refugee flows. They noted that Afghanistan is grappling with a compounding series of crises, including natural disasters, climate change impacts, and the world's largest influx of returning refugees, largely from Pakistan and Iran.
Nearly six million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2023, with an additional two million expected this year. These returnees are straining already scarce resources in a nation plagued by poverty and malnutrition. The situation is exacerbated by substantial cuts in international aid and the Taliban government's restrictive policies, particularly concerning women and girls' access to education and employment.
Despite the significant challenges and international isolation, with no Western nation having formally recognized the Taliban government since its takeover in August 2021, the UN officials pointed to areas of progress. De Croo highlighted improvements in security and a dramatic reduction in drug production, which he attributed partly to funding for alternative crops for farmers. However, he cautioned that a lack of continued support could lead to a resurgence in drug cultivation.
The officials acknowledged the harsh restrictions on women and girls as a major point of contention but expressed hope that constructive engagement would foster tangible reforms and an inclusive system. They stressed that the impact of aid cuts has been severe, leading to the closure of hundreds of medical centers and affecting millions of people's access to basic healthcare, as well as hindering efforts to combat malnutrition.