Panel 1: Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan Under Taliban Control

After the Government of Afghanistan collapsed in August 2021, economic and political instability has led to the deterioration of basic services across the country, including increased prices of staple foods. Many Afghans struggle to meet basic needs amid the cumulative effects of two decades of conflict, internal displacement, COVID-19, effects of climate change including recurrent drought, earthquakes, extreme weather, and the country’s economic collapse since the Taliban’s takeover in mid-August 2021. Women and girls face increasingly repressive policies by the Taliban on human rights and access to basic services making it harder for relief agencies to reach female beneficiaries. 

This panel would seek to examine the unique challenges for aid delivery in Afghanistan, particularly by female aid workers, and discuss ways in which to improve the receipt and provision of principled humanitarian assistance. The panel will consider opportunities for the international community to advocate for restoring the full participation of women in Afghan society.