New York, Afghanistan is confronting a devastating convergence of humanitarian, economic, and human rights crises, described by the United Nations as a “perfect storm” threatening the country’s future.

In a sobering briefing to the UN Security Council, Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, warned that while armed conflict has declined since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the overall situation has deteriorated sharply. “It is an open question whether there is sufficient pragmatism among the de facto authorities to manage this perfect storm of crises,” she said.

Central to the crisis are sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including the continued closure of schools above grade six now in its fourth year. The World Bank estimates this policy alone has cost Afghanistan $1.4 billion annually in lost economic potential.

Hanifa Girowal, Vice President of the Afghan group Women’s Rights First, described the Taliban’s policies as “gender apartheid,” recounting the story of a young woman in Kandahar who had dreamed of becoming a law professor but now lives in uncertainty and confinement.

Humanitarian aid is also under severe strain. The UN has provided nearly $13 billion in assistance since 2021, but international funding has been cut by nearly 50% this year. Restrictions on Afghan women working for NGOs and UN agencies have further hindered relief efforts, especially in the wake of recent earthquakes.

Afghanistan’s economy remains fragile, with 75% of the population living at subsistence level, and growth failing to keep pace with demographic pressures. Climate change, drought, and forced returns from neighboring countries are compounding the crisis.

Otunbayeva urged the international community to maintain engagement and support, warning that ideological decisions by the Taliban could prevent sustainable solutions and deepen the suffering of millions.