United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan
UNITED NATIONS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR AFGHANISTAN
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Priority 1: Sustained Essential Services
Priority 2: Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods
Priority 3: Social Cohesion, Inclusion, Gender Equality, Human Rights, and Rule of Law
These priorities are supported by three core outcomes as well as two Collective Outcomes shared with
the humanitarian pillar to 1) reduce food insecurity and 2) reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
Partners across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus have agreed to work toward these
Collective Outcomes through their interventions. This cross-pillar approach will guide the design,
coordination, and implementation of UN and partner activities that build the resilience of the most
vulnerable and address the drivers of humanitarian needs, development reversals, and conflict and
instability in Afghanistan, including climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, and human
rights violations among others.
Reflecting on its intensive external and internal consultations as part of this strategic planning
exercise, as well as on its deep experience in Afghanistan both before and after August 2021, the UNCT
in Afghanistan has adopted the following vision statement and statement of commitment to the
people of Afghanistan (Box 1).
Box 1: Vision and Commitment of the United Nations Country Team in Afghanistan
Our vision is that all people in Afghanistan, especially women, girls, children, minorities, and
other marginalized individuals and groups, are empowered to protect and rebuild their lives
and the lives of their families and communities.
From 2023 through 2025, the UNCT in Afghanistan will contribute to achieving this vision - in
a context where it is operationally constrained through delivery of inclusive, non-
discriminatory assistance and services to address humanitarian and basic human needs.
Support to basic human needs will build resilience; strengthen local-level systems; protect
human rights and human development gains; promote accountability; sustain food systems
and livelihoods; support decent work; advance gender equality; and facilitate an inclusive,
peaceful, and just society for all Afghans.
Our approach will be human-rights centered, gender-responsive, community-based, neutral,
accountable, cross-pillar, data-driven, localized, and reflective of the core values and principles
of the United Nations.
This Strategic Framework articulates the UN's approach to addressing basic human needs in
Afghanistan, while the annual Humanitarian Response Plans encompass the complementary
humanitarian approach.¹ Anchored in the principle of leaving no one behind, the UN Strategic
Framework prioritizes the needs and rights of those most vulnerable and marginalized, including
women and girls, children and youth, internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, ethnic and
religious minorities, geographically isolated communities, sexual and gender minorities, the Kuchi
1 UNOCHA (2023). Humanitarian Response Plans. Available at https://www.unocha.org/afghanistanView entire presentation