This week, the UN warned all its member states that 70% of the people in Afghanistan are facing extreme hunger and need aid, while six million are facing the risk of famine.
Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian chief, told the UN Security Council that Afghanistan faces multiple humanitarian, economic, climate, hunger and financial crises and urged donors to restore funding for development in Afghanistan.
He asked the donors for about $770m to help Afghans survive the coming colder months.
Meanwhile, he added that Afghanistan is facing a critical situation due to the halt to large-scale development aid.
He also criticizes the current government that “Afghanistan’s de facto authorities must also do
their part. Bureaucratic interferences and procedures slow down humanitarian assistance when it is needed most. Female humanitarian aid workers … must be allowed to work unhindered and securely. Moreover, girls must be allowed to continue their education.”
This is the second time that the United Nations has been warning an emergency level of food insecurity amid a shortage of sufficient humanitarian aid due to a lack of funding.
Last year in November, the UN warned the member states about Afghanistan’s humanitarian crises and food shortage.
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 led to the disruption of international financial support, which has plunged the country into an economic, humanitarian, and human rights crisis. On the other hand, the US and other western countries suspended their financial aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban’s control of power.
Under the Taliban, Afghanistan’s de facto rulers, women and girls have also been denied their rights, including the right to education, and have vanished from public view.
The recent Taliban ban on women’s education and work with international organizations has further disturbed the humanitarian aid organization in the country.
