Afghanistan’s Crisis is Far From Over

Overview

While there have been improvements in humanitarian access and food distribution in many areas, security is deteriorating in some places key to the relief effort. Donors, the United Nations, and the new Afghan interim government all need to focus on security, protection, financing and coordination. On 15 January, two UN lorries carrying 40 tonnes of food aid were hijacked by gunmen on the road between Mazar-I-Sharif and Kabul. The is the first time that relief has been looted on such a large scale, and is a menacing sign of increasing lawlessness in some areas where relief distribution is a priority.