Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health has issued a scathing condemnation of two key UN agencies, accusing them of delivering expired and unusable humanitarian aid to the country. In a press conference held Wednesday, Acting Health Minister Noorjalal Jalali alleged that the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sent thousands of metric tons of low-quality and expired medical and food supplies, calling it a “clear waste of aid.”
According to Jalali, WFP imported 6,750 metric tons of poor-quality “Super Cereal” and 55 tons of expired nutritional “premix” meant for vulnerable communities. He also accused UNDP of sending 650 tuberculosis diagnostic kits that were either expired or did not match their technical documentation.
“These actions raise serious concerns about how aid is managed and distributed in Afghanistan. We urge the UN to adopt greater transparency and accountability,” Jalali said, stressing that humanitarian support must meet the country’s actual needs.
The accusations come amid longstanding concerns about corruption and inefficiency in aid operations across Afghanistan. Investigations by organizations such as SIGAR and Transparency International have highlighted how militant groups, including the Taliban, have exploited loopholes to divert aid by infiltrating or creating front NGOs. Meanwhile, reports from the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre indicate that local communities often view aid distribution as biased and wasteful.
Operational costs have also drawn criticism, with experts saying a disproportionate share of aid funds is absorbed by logistics and administrative expenses, leaving limited support for beneficiaries on the ground.
As of now, neither WFP nor UNDP has publicly responded to the allegations. Both agencies, however, are operating under intense pressure, grappling with funding shortfalls and worsening security conditions that continue to hamper aid delivery across Afghanistan.
The Afghan government’s sharp criticism of UN agencies highlights growing frustration with the international aid system. Officials say without urgent reform, humanitarian assistance risks failing those it is meant to help.
