Just two days ago, United Nation launched Its biggest ever humanitarian appeal for a nation, which claims more than $5 billion this year.
Speaking to journalists in New York, the head of the United Nations said the scale of the appeal “reflects the scale of despair.”
“Children are sold to feed their siblings. Freeze medical facilities overrun with malnourished children. People burn wealth to keep warm. Livelihoods across the country have been lost. “
Currently, more than half of Afghanistan’s population depends on life-saving assistance.
Mr. Guterres argued that there was no more coordinated effort from the international community.Virtually every man, woman and child in Afghanistan can face severe poverty. ”
‘Amazing results’
According to the Secretary-General, when properly funded, aid has the potential to achieve “incredible results”.
Last year, The UN and its humanitarian partners have reached 18 million people across the country, an increase of more than 60% from the previous year.
These workers now have access to areas and communities that have been restricted for years, but humanitarian activities require more money and flexibility.
“Freezing temperatures and frozen properties are a deadly combination for the people of Afghanistan,” warned Mr. Guterres.
The UN chief also pointed to rules and conditions that prevent money from being used to save lives and economies, arguing that they should be suspended.
“International funding should be allowed to pay public sector workers and help facilities in Afghanistan deliver health care, education and other vital services,” he said.
‘Creative arrangement’
Mr. Guterres also welcomes Security Council‘S through a humanitarian exception for the sanctions regime on the country, back in December.
He believes this decision provides financial institutions and commercial institutions with legal assurance to engage with humanitarian operators without fear of violating sanctions.
In order to avoid economic collapse, the Secretary-General said that the function of the Central Bank of Afghanistan must be preserved. Above all, it is necessary to define a conditional release path for foreign currency reserves.
According to him, UN is taking steps to inject cash into the economy “through innovative mandated arrangements”, but it is “a drop in the bucket.”
The Secretary-General then highlighted a positive example, that of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), established by the World Bank.
Just last month, the organization transferred $280 million from that fund to fund the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Program (WFP) works.
“I hope the remaining resources, more than $1.2 billion, will be available to help the Afghan people survive the winter,” he said.
© UNHCR / Andrew McConnell
Separated families face harsh winters and food shortages in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Stunning
In appealing to the international community, the Secretary-General made an “equal plea” to the Taliban leadership, asking them to recognize and protect the basic human rights of women and girls.
“Across Afghanistan, women and girls are missing from offices and classrooms. A generation of girls is seeing their hopes and dreams dashed. Women scientists, lawyers and teachers are limited, squandering skills and talents that will benefit the entire country and indeed the world.”
“No country can develop while denying the rights of half the population‘, he concluded.
