United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths, who briefed the ambassadors, reported on the ongoing difficulties and instability facing Afghans, nearly half of them – 24 million people – ask for relief aid to survive.
“Afghanistan’s crisis is a humanitarian crisis, but it’s not just that. It was an economic crisis. It’s a climate crisis. It is a hunger crisis. It was a financial crisis. But it is not a hopeless crisis,” he speak.
A critical situation
Although conflict, poverty, climate shocks and food insecurity have long been a “sad reality” for Afghanistan, Mr. Griffiths pointed out why the current situation has become so. so serious.
First, large-scale development assistance has been halted for a year in a country already facing severe levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, which are only becoming increasingly common. bad.
Humanitarians are also facing a “particularly challenging” operating environment, he added, joining the in facto the government is “labour-intensive”.
Liquidity crisis, right reversal
Furthermore, there are distrust of the domestic banking sector This has caused a liquidity crisis, which has affected the distribution of aid. A Humanitarian Exchange Facility to partially alleviate the liquidity crisis is still being negotiated with Taliban leaders.
Meanwhile women and girls “have been pushed aside”, Mr. Griffiths added. Benefits were reversed and minor girls were excluded from school for a year.
“In the 21st century, we don’t need to explain why girls’ education and women’s empowerment are important for them, for their community, for their country, and really for all of us,” he said.
Lack of capital
The UN’s relief chief stressed that maintaining the provision of basic services along with humanitarian assistance “remains the only way to avert a disaster even greater than what we expect.” I’ve seen over the last several months.”
He reported that Poverty continues to deepenpopulation continues to grow, and in fact the government doesn’t have the budget to invest in its own future, so it’s clear that “some development assistance needs to be restarted”.
4.4 billion Australian dollars Humanitarian response plan for Afghanistan there is a gap of $3.14 billion now, he said.
As winter approaches, more than $600 million is needed to support priority preparedness activities, such as upgrading and repairing shelters, as well as providing warm clothing and blankets.
In addition, $154 million is needed to prep supplies, including food and livelihood support, before winter weather cuts off access to some areas of the country.
Prosperity and safety
“The Afghan people are still there. They have shown incredible resilience over the decades and in the last year. Our mission is to help them prosper, grow and be safe,“Mr Griffiths, who also calls for action by in fact the authorities.
“Crucial interventions and procedures slow down humanitarian assistance when it is needed most. Women humanitarian workers – both nationally and internationally – must be allowed to work unimpeded and safe. And girls must be allowed to continue their education.”
Interaction ‘vague’
Markus Potzel, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, reported on the continued involvement of the United Nations with in fact authorities, as well as efforts towards promoting inclusive governance, rights and freedoms.
He said the Taliban had been “ambiguous” about the extent to which they wanted to participate, a prediction that was consistent with their interpretation of Sharia law.
Potzel stressed the critical need to move “beyond the exchange of tough positions” toward a sustainable dialogue between the Taliban, other Afghan stakeholders, the wider region and the wider community. international.
“Such dialogue must put the interests of all Afghans at its center,” he advises. “Afghanistan’s future stability depends on meeting the needs of the Afghan people, protecting their rights, and reflecting the country’s diversity in all governance structures.”
