United Nations, Jan 5 (IANS): The UN and partners delivering relief in Afghanistan are fighting harsh winter weather which has exacerbated severe conditions for many, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

"Heavy snowfall and rain have affected a number of areas in the past 24 hours, with snow disrupting flights to and from Kabul Airport," the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "Further snow and low temperatures are forecast in the coming days."

The struggle comes as part of the humanitarian commitment to scale up operations, OCHA said. Last month they reached 7 million of Afghanistan's population of about 39 million, Xinhua news agency reported.

The humanitarians deliver cash and non-food items and, in various parts of Afghanistan, winterization support, the office said.

Donors provided $1.5 billion for the two humanitarian appeals for the country in 2021, OCHA said. That figure includes $776 million, or 128 per cent, of the $606 million required for a flash appeal, and $730 million, or 84 per cent, of the 869 million sought in the humanitarian response plan.