Afghanistan: Humanitarian Aid
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international counterparts to help minimise disruption to humanitarian operations in Afghanistan resulting from the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
The United Nations currently assesses that 22 million people require humanitarian support in Afghanistan. The UK continues to make one of the largest contributions to meeting those needs, allocating £154 million in 2025/26 for life-saving assistance and essential services, after providing over 2.7 million people with humanitarian support in 2024/25, including over 1.7 million women and girls.
Alongside our international partners, we also continue to seek a resolution of issues that are exacerbating economic hardship and humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, including the restriction of supplies caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the recent increase in hostilities between Pakistan and the Taliban.
On the former, the UK, along with France and representatives from 38 other nations, confirmed our political support on 12 May for an independent and strictly defensive multinational military mission to support civilian shipping through the Strait.
On the latter, we continue to engage international and regional partners to encourage de-escalation, and we are working closely with UK aid partners, including the United Nations and Red Cross, to ensure that humanitarian assistance is reaching vulnerable communities affected by the conflict, including the estimated 100,000 people who have so far been displaced from their homes.
On all issues, our priority will remain to support regional stability and the protection of civilians, including the wellbeing of women and children in Afghanistan.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →