UN limits operations in Afghanistan amid the humanitarian crisis as the Taliban ban UN's female staff

Taliban fighters prevent two Afghan women from entering a food distribution centre in Kabul. (Reuters: Ali Khara)

In a major setback to relief efforts in Afghanistan, the United Nations (UN) will limit its operations in the war-ravaged country, following the Taliban's ban on the UN's female staff. 

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reiterated its "unequivocal condemnation" of a decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in Afghanistan, it said in a statement on Tuesday.