UN halts Afghan returnee aid

The United Nations said Thursday that it has suspended its assistance to Afghans returning from neighbouring countries after the Taliban government prevented women staff members from working.

"On 9 September, in light of instructions from the de facto authorities preventing Afghan female staff from working, UNHCR was compelled to halt activities at its encashment centres across Afghanistan," the UN's refugee agency said.

It explained that these are places where Afghans returning from Pakistan and Iran receive money and other support.

The UN said in a separate statement that its women employees had been prevented from accessing their workplaces in several locations across the country this week.

"Security forces are visibly present at the entrances of UN premises in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif to enforce the restriction. This is particularly concerning in view of continuing restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls," the statement said.