UN condemns internet shutdown in Afghanistan

The United Nations said in a statement that "the Afghan government's decision to shut down the internet across the country has had a negative impact on the humanitarian situation in the region." The country's disconnection from the global information network is making it difficult to provide humanitarian assistance to the remote population affected by the recent powerful earthquake, which killed an estimated 2,000 people.

The UN also said it had lost contact with humanitarian workers. Health programs, including vaccinations, and banking and financial services have also been disrupted, the statement said. Ordinary people are unable to make money transfers.

The organization added that Kabul's actions have also led to the cancellation of flights.