OCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Published purpose

February 2023 – Prior to the Taliban takeover, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was already one of the worst in the world. The recent escalation in conflict and the resulting upheaval in Afghanistan has worsened already significant humanitarian needs and further complicated an extremely challenging operational context. In 2023, an estimated 28 million people will require humanitarian assistance due to conflict, chronic food insecurity, displacement, the coronavirus (COVID-19), broad economic crisis, and climatic events. The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) primary mandate is to oversee the coordination of international humanitarian responses, in partnership with national and international actors, facilitating the achievement of more coherent and effective humanitarian action. With the support of GAC and other donors, OCHA fulfills its mandate in Afghanistan. Project activities include: (1) strengthening humanitarian leadership; (2) establishing and overseeing coordination systems; (3) monitoring and reporting on humanitarian situations; (4) advocating on behalf of affected people; (5) supporting humanitarian needs assessment, the prioritization of humanitarian needs and strategic planning; (6) promoting emergency preparedness; and (7) mobilizing funding for humanitarian assistance.