United Nations:
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday of a looming “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan as he urged nations to provide emergency funding following the departure of US forces.
Guterres expressed his “grave concern at the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country,” adding that simple services threatened to collapse “completely.”
“Now more than ever, Afghan children, women and men need the support and solidarity of the international community,” he stated in a statement, as he pleaded for monetary help from nations.
“I urge all member states to dig deep for the people of Afghanistan in their darkest hour of need. I urge them to provide timely, flexible and comprehensive funding,” the secretary-common stated.
Guterres announced that the UN would release facts of a flash appeal for Afghanistan next week.
The data will detail the “most immediate humanitarian needs and funding requirements” necessary more than the next 4 months, he stated.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths will coordinate “the entire UN system” in preparation of the appeal, Guterres added.
He stated just about half of the population of Afghanistan — 18 million persons — want urgent humanitarian help to survive.
“One in three Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from. More than half of all children under five are expected to become acutely malnourished in the next year.
“People are losing access to simple goods and services each day. A humanitarian catastrophe looms,” said Guterres.
He added that severe drought and coming harsh winter conditions meant extra food, shelter and health supplies “ought to be urgently rapidly-tracked” to Afghanistan.
“I get in touch with on all parties to facilitate secure and unimpeded humanitarian access for life-saving and life-sustaining supplies, as properly as for all humanitarian workers — males and females,” he said.
Guterres said the commitment of humanitarian agencies to stay in Afghanistan and deliver aid “will not waver.”
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