Crisis in Afghanistan

Crisis in Afghanistan began in 2021 when the Taliban succeeded in their attempt to take over Afghanistan. The Taliban captured the capital city of Kabul on 15 August 2021 by force. Following this, major humanitarian forces withdrew their troops from the country. The event led to a major crisis in Afghanistan, acknowledged by the world.

The world watched in dismay and disbelief as Afghanistan finally became the den of the Taliban, fulfilling their efforts of over 20 years. In this article, we have shared more about the crisis in Afghanistan, its history and the current scenario.

Crisis in Afghanistan: Overview

Ever since the crisis in Afghanistan started, global agencies have made calls for peace and humanity. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has been in the news ever since the Taliban took over and caused damage to the lives of millions of Afghans.

As a result of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, donors from around the world have frozen their funding. Find more about the crisis in Afghanistan from the overview shared in the table below.

Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: Background

It is important to understand the background of the crisis in Afghanistan and the role of the US during the crisis. Here are some key events that took place before the Afghanistan crisis.

• The killing of Osama Bin Laden took place in Pakistan in May 2011.
• Meanwhile, protests were rising in the US with continuing military engagement in Afghanistan.
• Subsequently, the US finally declared that it would withdraw its forces completely from Afghanistan.
• In February 2020, US-Taliban signed a peace agreement that set the timeline for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan.
• The last US armed forces left the land of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the Biden government's decision to end military involvement in the country.
• This left the future of Afghanistan to be decided by the Taliban.

Afghanistan Crisis: US Involvement

The engagement of the United States in the crisis of Afghanistan can be traced to decades ago. Here, we have shared the complete timeline and history of the event.

• US engagement in the Afghanistan crisis resulted from the 9/11 terrorist attack that left almost 3000 people dead in the US.
• Al-Qaeda led the nerve-wracking terrorist attack under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden.
• Much before the crisis of Afghanistan, the US demanded the handover of Osama Bin Laden, who took shelter in Afghanistan.
• The refusal of the then in power Taliban to abide by the US demand resulted in subsequent US military intervention in Afghanistan in 2001.

Consequence of Afghanistan Crisis

As the crisis in Afghanistan took shape, most international donors suspended non-humanitarian funding and freezing of billion dollars worth of assets. Here are a series of events that followed the capture of Afghanistan by the Taliban.

• Afghanistan's health service was dependent on World-bank managed program. Post Afghan crisis, over 90% of the country's health centres have shut down, exposing the high medical uncertainties for the civilians.
• Food insecurity was already high by late 2021, and this is likely to deepen in the coming years, giving rise to famine-like conditions.
• And hunger will lead to further displacement and will worsen the crisis in Afghanistan.
• One of the worst consequences of the Afghanistan crisis is the rolling back of women's rights. The Taliban reversed all the rights and freedom that Afghan women had gained in the post-2001 reconstruction effort.
• Post the Afghanistan crisis, there is also a heavy restriction on media, with almost 70% of media offices shut down.

Crisis in Afghanistan: Latest Updates

The crisis in Afghanistan is leading to a crippling society, with many sectors on the verge of complete breakdown. Here is what the systems look like in Taliban-led Afghanistan.

• With no funding, the health system in the country is in a compromised condition.
• Other challenges include that of ongoing drought and hunger crisis and of COVID-19.
• One of the consequences of the Afghanistan crisis is that the economy faces an ongoing collapse that will likely worsen the humanitarian crisis further.
• People are running out of money while the prices of even basic like food and medicine are at their highest.
• According to a United Nations prediction, Afghanistan is on the verge of universal poverty, by mid of 2022, with 97% of the population impoverished.

Why is the Crisis in Afghanistan a Global Concern?

The crisis in Afghanistan is a matter of global concern, and other countries cannot stay unaffected. It can be said that with Taliban rule returning to Afghanistan, thousands of lives are exposed to an uncertain and sceptical future in the country.

The crisis in Afghanistan is a talking point in the world because the forceful capture of the country by the Taliban has led to a series of unfortunate events.

• Killing and assassination of civilians and government officials were seen during the two weeks of the power handover.
• The Afghan government trying to fight against the Taliban takeover.
• The ever-increasing number of internally-displaced people during the crisis in Afghanistan has further added to the misery.
• Afghanistan's economy requires international aid and compassionate actions to at least begin the healing process.

FAQs on the Crisis in Afghanistan

Q1. When did the crisis in Afghanistan start?

The crisis in Afghanistan started on 15 August 2021, when the Taliban captured the capital city of Kabul by force. This led to the collapse of the Afghan government and the total rule of the Taliban over Afghanistan. The Afghanistan crisis is an issue of utmost concern for humanitarian organizations around the world.

Q2. What caused the crisis in Afghanistan?

The Taliban’s desire for complete power over the Islamic State of Afghanistan caused the crisis in Afghanistan. The Taliban took control of the country by force on 15 August 2021. Since then, the Afghanistan crisis has worsened.

Q3. How serious is the crisis in Afghanistan?

The crisis in Afghanistan following the establishment of Taliban rule is a deepening global concern and calls for aid and support from every possible corner. The situation has already become unrecoverable. With 244.4 million of 41.7 million in need of humanitarian aid, the intensity of the crisis-hit Afghanistan is grave.

Q4. Why is there a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan?

There is a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan ever since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021. Since this event, major investors and funders have withdrawn their funding from the country. This has led to putting millions of Afghans on the brink of poverty and hunger.

Q5. How did the signing of the peace treaty lead to the crisis in Afghanistan?

Following a deal between US Government led by President Biden and the Taliban, US military forces withdrew completely from Afghanistan, stationed there since 2001. And this led to the crisis of Afghanistan as the terrorist organisation Taliban took over the country.

Q6. Why did the US get involved in the Afghanistan crisis?

The 9/11 attack in New York marked the beginning of the USA's involvement in the crisis of Afghanistan. Its search for Osama Bin Laden resulted in military activities against the Taliban in the country.