By The South Asia Times

KABUL - Restrictions imposed by Afghanistan's Taliban authorities on humanitarian operations increased by 50% in June, forcing the temporary suspension of 21 aid activities and further disrupting the delivery of assistance across the country, according to a new United Nations report cited by Afghan broadcaster Amu TV.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recorded 60 humanitarian access incidents during the month, up significantly from May, with western Afghanistan reporting the highest number of cases, followed by the country's south.

According to the report, Taliban interference in humanitarian programs remained the most common obstacle facing aid agencies, followed by violence against humanitarian personnel and restrictions on the movement of aid workers, supplies and organizations.

OCHA documented 43 incidents involving interference in humanitarian operations. Of these, 22 involved direct interference with aid programming, while 13 were linked to restrictions on female humanitarian workers.

The report also recorded four cases in which women were prevented from receiving humanitarian assistance, three incidents involving interference in staff recruitment and one case related to enforcement of the Taliban's dress code.

Aid organizations also reported restrictions on the use of smartphones by humanitarian workers, which OCHA said hampered monitoring, reporting, communications and the delivery of community-based services.

"These measures continued to undermine humanitarian organizations' operational capacity and limited effective oversight of aid programs," the report said.

The UN agency also documented 11 incidents involving violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities, including 10 cases of detention and one involving threats against aid workers.

A total of 14 humanitarian workers were detained during June. OCHA attributed nine of the incidents to the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Several aid workers were reportedly detained at the Islam Qala Reception Centre over alleged violations of beard and dress-code requirements. OCHA said restrictions imposed by the ministry in Herat province had also further limited women's movement, creating additional challenges for humanitarian operations.

Movement restrictions also remained a significant obstacle. OCHA recorded six incidents involving restrictions on humanitarian travel, including four checkpoint-related cases and two affecting female aid workers.

Aid convoys and humanitarian staff were stopped at checkpoints, questioned and subjected to document checks, causing delays in relief operations, according to the report.

The UN agency identified 30 gender-related access incidents during the month, including restrictions on female humanitarian workers, detentions, barriers preventing women from receiving aid, recruitment restrictions and checkpoint-related obstacles.

Humanitarian organizations also reported new limitations on hiring women, restrictions on female beneficiaries participating in training programs and reduced access for women to humanitarian services.

Herat province recorded the highest number of humanitarian access incidents nationwide, with 18 cases, followed by Kandahar with 13 and Kabul with nine. Herat also recorded the highest number of gender-related restrictions, accounting for 11 incidents.

The report comes as aid agencies continue to face declining funding and mounting operational challenges in Afghanistan.

According to OCHA, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan aims to assist approximately 1.72 million people each month. However, only about 127,000 people were reached during the reporting period, highlighting what the agency described as a widening gap between humanitarian needs and the delivery of life-saving assistance.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment and public participation. Those policies have significantly complicated humanitarian operations, particularly for organizations that rely on female staff to reach women and children in need.