A new United Nations report has revealed that more than one million women in conflict-affected regions are currently without access to essential humanitarian support, including food, healthcare, and protection services. The findings underscore a deepening crisis as global funding shortfalls and increased restrictions on aid workers leave vulnerable populations increasingly isolated.
Scope of the Crisis
The report, released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlights that the affected women are primarily in countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to OCHA, the number represents a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, with the total now exceeding 1.2 million women who are completely cut off from assistance.
Funding gaps have been identified as the primary driver, with only 55% of the required $48 billion humanitarian appeal funded so far in 2026. This shortfall has forced agencies to scale back or suspend programs targeting women and girls, who often face unique risks including gender-based violence and lack of maternal care.
Impact on Health and Safety
Without access to healthcare, maternal mortality rates in these regions are expected to rise sharply. The report notes that in Yemen alone, an estimated 200,000 pregnant women are now unable to receive prenatal or delivery services. Additionally, protection services for survivors of sexual violence have been disrupted, leaving many without legal or psychological support.
“We are witnessing a catastrophic erosion of the humanitarian safety net for women,” said Dr. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General. “The international community must urgently step up funding and ensure unimpeded access for aid workers. Every day of delay means more lives lost and more women left to fend for themselves in unimaginable circumstances.”
Access Restrictions Worsen Situation
Beyond funding, the report points to growing bureaucratic and security-related barriers that prevent aid from reaching those in need. In Afghanistan, Taliban authorities have imposed new restrictions on female aid workers, effectively halting many programs that require women-to-women contact. In Syria, ongoing military operations have made several districts inaccessible, while in the DRC, armed groups have looted humanitarian supplies.
The report calls for immediate diplomatic efforts to negotiate humanitarian corridors and for donors to fulfill pledges made at the 2025 Global Humanitarian Summit. It also recommends that governments of conflict-affected countries remove obstacles to aid delivery and ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel.
Global Response
In response to the report, several UN member states have announced additional contributions. Canada pledged $150 million specifically for women's health programs, while the European Union committed €200 million to general humanitarian operations. However, OCHA warns that even these new funds will only cover a fraction of the gap.
Non-governmental organizations have echoed the urgency. “The situation is dire and requires not just money but a political will to prioritize women’s needs in conflict settings,” said a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee. “We cannot allow these women to become invisible victims of war.”
The report concludes with a stark warning: without immediate action, the number of women without support could reach 1.5 million by year's end, potentially reversing decades of progress in gender equality and women's health.
