The United States has urged the United Nations to carefully assess aid efforts in Afghanistan, citing the Taliban’s continued restrictions on women and their broader intransigence. Speaking to the U.N. Security Council, Mike Waltz noted that the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) operates with the largest budget of any special U.N. mission, yet its female staff are often unable to work.

“In light of the Taliban’s intransigence, we must carefully evaluate the utility of international assistance and engagement in Afghanistan,” Waltz said, stressing the urgent need for accountability in the use of resources.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Afghanistan faces one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises. According to the U.N. World Food Programme, over 17 million Afghans—roughly one-third of the population—face acute food shortages, including 4.7 million at emergency levels of hunger.

Georgette Gagnon, the temporary head of UNAMA, told the council that humanitarian needs remain “urgent,” noting that the $1.71 billion appeal for 2026 is currently only 10% funded. She warned that conflicts with Pakistan and the ongoing war in Iran have driven up the cost of basic commodities, exacerbating the crisis.

International Engagement Still Shows Value

Despite the challenges, some progress demonstrates the potential benefits of international involvement. Gagnon highlighted the Taliban’s ban on opium poppy cultivation as a positive development. However, she warned that without addressing human rights and humanitarian concerns, Afghanistan risks becoming a source of regional instability, contributing to outmigration, terrorism, and narcotics.