United Nations: The United Nations will convene a high-level ministerial event on September 13 on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan to highlight the acute needs in the country and underscore the urgent funding support and actions required by international partners to support the people of the country.
Afghanistan faces an extremely dire situation and is confronted with protracted conflict, severe drought and the COVID-19 pandemic in a context where some 18 million Afghans – almost half of the population – were already in need of aid.
More than 550,000 people have been displaced in the country since January 2021. One in three Afghans is experiencing a crisis or emergency level of food insecurity, and more than half of the children under-five are at the brink of acute malnutrition. The severe drought is compounding the humanitarian crisis, and the upcoming winter conditions are expected to be harsh, the UN said in a statement.
The spokesperson of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, “As the United Nations continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, the Secretary-General will travel to Geneva to convene on 13 September a high-level ministerial humanitarian meeting to address the growing needs in the country.”
“The conference will advocate for a swift scale-up in funding so the lifesaving humanitarian operation can continue; and appeal for full and unimpeded humanitarian access to make sure Afghans continue to get the essential services they need’.
