Afghanistan is currently facing an ongoing economic crisis and freezing conditions, which have increased the number of people in humanitarian need. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) predicts that the number of people in need will reach 28.3 million this year, and more than half will be children. This includes 14.7 million in “extreme” need and 13.7 million in “severe” need.
On December 24, 2022, national and international non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan were informed that they were prohibited from employing female staff. The edict followed similar bans on women and girls attending university, secondary schools and some public spaces.
Meeting details
One month after the ban, a poll of 87 NGOs by the Humanitarian Access Working Group revealed that one in five organisations said that women could no longer access their services. The services offered by NGOs in Afghanistan have been scaled back, with 67% having reduced their work, only 17% operating fully and 15% not operating at all.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact, which scrutinises UK aid spending, published a review UK aid to Afghanistan in November 2022. The review looked at UK aid spending before the Taliban takeover. ICAI awarded the Government an Amber/Red score, meaning “unsatisfactory achievement in most areas”. MPs will explore the key findings of their report and seek an update on the Government’s response.
Lord Ahmad, responsible minister for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations will give evidence on the Government’s response to ICAI’s review and the current situation in Afghanistan.