The period 2020-2025 was associated with a fundamental political and social change in Afghanistan that had a profoundly disruptive impact on access to basic social services, specifically education and healthcare. It is in this delicate situation that the International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) were instrumental in ensuring and growing service delivery. This paper is based on a humanitarian governance and development-in-fragile-states approach that examines the extent, efficiency, and operational issues of INGO interventions in the education and health sectors in Afghanistan.

The study embraces a mixed study design. Program reports, enrollment statistics for education, and health service indicators were used to gather quantitative data on changes in access and service coverage. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with INGO staff, local authorities, and community benefactors were used to collect qualitative data, employing purposive sampling to include diverse perspectives. A total of interviews and focus groups (number) were carried out. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics, and qualitative data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo/Atlas.ti).

The results suggest that INGO interventions improved access to schools, especially for girls, and to primary healthcare services across various areas. Nevertheless, these programs were limited in their effectiveness and sustainability due to political unpredictability, insecurity, resource shortages, and socio-cultural challenges.

The findings emphasize that the use of context-sensitive programming and increased cooperation between INGOs, local governance structures, and communities are needed to improve the achievements of long-term development.

This paper offers policy-relevant implications for donors, practitioners, and scholars interested in enhancing education and health interventions.