The United Nations Agency for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UNOCHA) has launched an urgent appeal to raise more than $600 million (€507 million) in emergency aid for Afghanistan. “Basic services in Afghanistan are collapsing, and food and other life-saving aid is almost running out,” said spokesman Jens Larke.
A summit meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is being held in Geneva on Monday, chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The United Nations hopes not only for support from donor countries, but also free access for aid workers to Afghanistan. The country has been under Taliban control since late August.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths traveled to Kabul last weekend to assess the situation on the ground. There are fears of a humanitarian catastrophe in the country.
severe malnutrition
Aid organizations hope the money will prevent nearly 11 million people from going hungry during the winter. According to Lerke, more than one million women and children in Afghanistan are currently suffering from acute malnutrition.
The money must also be used to maintain medical services, water supply, and sanitation. It will also fund emergency shelters and educational projects for children.
According to Griffiths, there is potential for humanitarian cooperation with the Taliban. “They are more committed to delivering on their promises than in the past,” Griffiths said.
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