Archive · 6 Nov 2025
UN Mission Suspends Services At Afghan Border Over Female Staff Restrictions
The United Nations helps people who are returning to Afghanistan at a border crossing called Islam Qala.
But now, the UN has stopped helping because they can't let their female workers do their jobs.
Most of the people coming back are moms and their kids.
The UN says they need their female helpers to make sure everyone is treated nicely and gets the help they need.
Some people who have returned are worried because winter is coming and they don't have enough food or a place to stay.
They are asking the UN to start helping again and not to let aid become a game.
They say that suspending help makes things even harder for families who have already lost a lot.
UNAMA has suspended services for migrants at the Islam Qala border in Afghanistan.
The suspension is due to restrictions on the work of female UN staff at the border crossing.
Over 60% of returnees at Islam Qala are women and children, and many families are headed by women.
Deportees from Iran expressed concern over poor economic conditions and called for humanitarian aid to be non-politicized.
Civil society activists emphasized the urgent need for aid to resume for vulnerable returnees, who require transport and food assistance.
- Who
- United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
- What
- Suspended all services for migrants at the Islam Qala border
- When
- Announced recently (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Islam Qala border, Herat province, Afghanistan
- Why
- Due to restrictions imposed on the work of its female staff, preventing dignified service delivery to the majority of returnees who are women and children.
UN Mission's Stance
Deportees and Activists' Stance
Resumption of Services
UN Mission's Stance
Services for migrants are suspended because of restrictions on female staff, who are essential to serving the majority of returnees (women and children).
Deportees and Activists' Stance
Humanitarian aid must not be politicized; aid should resume immediately to assist deportees facing dire economic conditions and the approaching winter.
Impact of Suspension
UN Mission's Stance
Without female staff, it is not possible to deliver necessary services to women and children under conditions of dignity and respect.
Deportees and Activists' Stance
Suspending assistance increases the vulnerability of returnees who are in urgent need of transport and food.
- Organization
- United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
- Location
- Islam Qala border, Herat province, Afghanistan
- Reason for Suspension
- Restrictions on the work of female staff
- Demographics Affected
- Migrants, primarily women and children (over 60% of returnees), with three in ten families headed by women
- Recent Returns
- Approximately 1.2 million Afghan migrants from Iran in recent months