UNSC Background Guide

The United Nations Security Council.

Agenda:

Addressing the Crisis in Afghanistan: Security and Humanitarian Solutions Developing comprehensive strategies for stabilizing Afghanistan and addressing the humanitarian crisis.

Chairperson’s Letter:

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to the Schoolhouse Fall MUN 2024! We are Rivi K. and Sarah W., your Chairs for the United Nations Security Council. It is our privilege to chair each of you through discussions on one of today’s most pressing global issues: addressing the multifaceted crisis in Afghanistan with a focus on both security and humanitarian efforts.

The crisis in Afghanistan has left almost 24 million Afghans in a fragile and dis-aggregated state, with families facing displacement, famine, and diminishing access to basic needs. The implications of this conflict stretch beyond Afghanistan’s borders, affecting both regional stability and global security. The UN Security Council’s role is pivotal in navigating this crisis, balancing the urgency of humanitarian aid with long-term strategies to rebuild and stabilize the nation. Delegates, this task calls for innovative thinking, diplomatic skills, and a commitment to achieving sustainable peace from you.

Delegates, you must bear the responsibility of crafting resolutions that bridge the needs of the Afghan civilians with the security concerns of the international community. Your insights must contribute to a framework that can restore hope and stability in this fractured nation and maintain this tricky balance between global, regional, and national interests. We challenge you to approach this agenda with the empathy, pragmatism, and visions of your delegations wholeheartedly.

In the UNSC, we aim to create an environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of ideas. Delegates, you do not need to hesitate when challenging perspectives, proposing bold ideas, and exercising the full extent of your abilities as a diplomat. Your role as a delegate is vital to shaping resolutions that have the power to make a tangible impact on Afghanistan, South Asia, and even the entire world.

We look forward to two days of engaging debate, impactful diplomacy, and a commitment to solutions that reflect the best of what the world can do for this nation on the brink of collapse. Let’s make this memorable: driven by purpose and united by a vision for peace.

Warm regards,

Rivi K. & Sarah W.

Executive Board,

UNSC

Background Guide:

INTRODUCTION:

Afghanistan has endured cycles of conflict since 1979, creating one of the longest running humanitarian crises in modern history: with over 4 decades of instability and violence, the country faces challenges that impact not only the Afghan citizens but also threaten the broader regional and global security. As of 2024, the United Nations estimates that 85% of Afghanistan’s population lives in poverty and that almost 24 million people (over half of the population) are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance..

KEY INFORMATION:

Displacement and Refugees:

Afghanistan’s volatile situation places significant pressure on host countries and increases resource pressures while breaking down most efforts at upholding regional stability. It is estimated that more than 10 million Afghans have fled their homes: 3.2 million internally displaced, and almost 6 million in other countries like Pakistan and Iran. This shockingly high number makes Afghanistan the third largest source of refugees globally.

Malnutrition and Famine:

Afghanistan’s food crisis has worsened due to multiple factors including the conflict between armed groups, droughts and famines, and diminishing foreign aid, leading to 26% of the population having no reliable access to food. This means approximately 11 million Afghans face acute food insecurity, and 41% of the nation’s children suffer from stunting.

Unemployment and the Economy:

Afghanistan’s GDP contracted significantly after the Taliban's 2021 return to power; unemployment and underemployment rates have increased over time. In 2023 , the nation’s unemployment rate was close to 15%, a testament to the nation’s weakening economy.

Health and Education:

"We have enough problems with the education of men, and in those affairs no one asks us about that." -- Qari Mullah Din Muhammad Hanif, Taliban Minister of Higher Education

Access to medical care is critically limited. Educational access has also suffered: over 1 million Afghan girls are denied secondary education under current governance, leaving the generation at risk of losing developmental opportunities. The literacy rate among Afghan women remains at only 20%, and is one of the lowest globally.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

Humanitarian Aid vs. Long-Term Solutions:

Can the international community ensure that immediate aid reaches those most in need without facilitating long-term dependency? What can regional partners do in promoting sustainable development?

Women's Rights and Education:

Delegates, how can you advocate for inclusive policies that ensure Afghanistan’s progress is inclusive and sustainable? How can the UNSC address the gender discrimination in the nation?

Counter-terrorism and Security:

As terrorist threats escalate, what solutions can you establish to counter the Taliban and other extremist groups? How can the international community collaborate on security while respecting Afghan sovereignty? How can this be achieved without unnecessary harm to civilians?

Regional Stability and International Cooperation:

With millions of refugees across borders and rising tensions, how can the UNSC open international cooperation to support host countries and manage this refugee crisis? How can the UNSC balance the well-being of these displaced Afghans with the need for a stable region?

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