The agency stated in a press release on Sunday that Australia has contributed more than USD 5.1 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund….reports Asian Lite News
Amid the escalating challenges of poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Australia is providing USD 5 million in humanitarian aid, Khaama Press reported.
The agency stated in a press release on Sunday that Australia has contributed more than USD 5.1 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund.
Furthermore, OCHA, the coordinating body for humanitarian aid of the United Nations, has clarified that this amount will be used in the relief and livelihood sectors.
The organization added that following the establishment of the Humanitarian Fund for Afghanistan, the Australian government sent approximately 69 million Australian dollars to the fund.
Previously, the UN OCHA stated in its latest report that an urgent budget of USD 570.7 million is required to provide essential winter necessities for people in need in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.
According to OCHA’s statistics, 29.2 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance, including 21.3 million people enrolled in relief programs.
Additionally, the organization has mentioned that USD 3.23 billion is required for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan this year. However, as of August, only approximately USD 1 billion has been provided, leaving a shortfall of USD 2.43 billion in the budget, Khaama Press reported.
Earlier, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations warned that Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where approximately two million people are suffering from severe food insecurity, adding that at least 41 million people in Afghanistan face severe acute food insecurity at an alarming level..
Afghanistan, heavily dependent on Western donor support, lost this assistance when the Taliban took over after the US and NATO withdrawal in August 2021. This led to a rapid economic collapse, pushing self-sufficient Afghans to rely on humanitarian aid for survival. (ANI)
The participating countries called on the current Afghan authorities to combat ISIS and urged them to take similar measures against all terrorist groups…writes Ateet Sharma
A miffed Russia has expressed its concerns about “attempts by extra-regional players to become more active in the Afghan direction” during the fifth meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan held in Kazan on Friday that was also attended by Amir Khan Mottaqi, the Acting head of the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry.
India’s Ambassador to Moscow Pavan Kapoor and senior officials of Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting while representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey were present as guests.
The ‘Kazan Declaration’ of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan released late Friday evening also mentioned the parties’ concern on the difficult security situation in Afghanistan due to the intensification of the activities of terrorist groups, primarily ISIS.
The participating countries called on the current Afghan authorities to combat ISIS and urged them to take similar measures against all terrorist groups.
Most participating countries also emphasised their opposition to external support for terrorism in Afghanistan.
“We called on the current Afghan authorities to take effective measures to dismantle, eliminate and prevent the deployment of all types of terrorist groups based in Afghanistan and to prevent the emergence in the country of a hotbed of terrorism and instability in neighbouring countries of the region,” the declaration stated.
Introduced in 2017, Russia reckons the format as the most effective mechanism for promoting external support for an Afghan settlement. Its main objective remains to facilitate the national reconciliation process in Afghanistan and secure peace in the country as soon as possible.
Last November, the fourth meeting of the Moscow format of consultations was held without any participation from the current Taliban regime in Kabul as the Kremlin was quite upset about no progress having been made to form an inclusive Afghan government reflecting the interests of all the ethno-political forces of the country.
On Friday, the participants once again “noted with regret” that despite the appointment of individual representatives of various Afghan nationalities to the Kabul administration, political pluralism is not much visible.
Meanwhile, in his address to the participants, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he “cannot help but note” that Moscow is concerned about attempts by extra-regional players to become more active in the Afghan direction.
He made it clear that a full-fledged unification of the efforts of the countries of the region with the member states of the NATO bloc is possible “only on the condition” that the latter fully acknowledge all responsibility for the “sad results” of their 20-year military presence in Afghanistan, which ended in a “complete fiasco”.
Lavrov mentioned that Washington’s blocking of Afghan banking holdings is “counterproductive” and only aggravates the situation, complicating the already difficult living conditions of ordinary Afghans.
“Under any circumstances, we consider the return of US and NATO military infrastructure to the territory of Afghanistan and its neighbouring states unacceptable, no matter what pretexts it is justified. We intend to be especially vigilant in this matter. We call on all partners in the Moscow format to do the same,” he warned.
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The Afghan Embassy further stated that it remains committed to uphold the ideals of democracy, legitimacy, and the well-being of the Afghan people….reports Asian Lite News
In a major development, the Afghan Embassy in India, announced the closure of its operations citing “lack of resources” and “failure to meet Afghanistan’s interests” by the Taliban regime.
The Embassy also made an “unequivocal statement” stating that certain consulates that work on the instruction and funding from Kabul are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government, but rather serve the interests of an “illegitimate regime”.
“It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations. This decision, while deeply regrettable, is made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and longstanding partnership between Afghanistan and India,” the Afghan Embassy said in statement on the early hours of Sunday.
The Embassy further stated that in accordance with Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), all property and facilities of the Embassy will be transferred to the custodial authority of the host country.
“We request the government of India to give serious consideration to the four requests outlined in the official note verbale submitted earlier,” the release stated.
It added, “The Embassy of Afghanistan wishes to make an unequivocal statement regarding the activities of certain consulates. It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime”.
The Afghan Embassy further stated that it remains committed to uphold the ideals of democracy, legitimacy, and the well-being of the Afghan people.
“We will continue to fulfil our commitment to represent Afghanistan diligently fulfilling the obligations entrusted to us by the esteemed people of Afghanistan while adhering to the principles of international diplomacy and in compliance with the established laws and regulations,” the release stated.
The embassy has stated that it has to take the decision because of “lack of support” from host government, failure to meet expectations in the interests of Afghanistan and reduction in its personnel and resources.
It added, “The Afghan ambassador and the embassy’s diplomats also extended their heartfelt gratitude to the people of India for their support and to the Government of India for their assistance to Afghanistan over the past 22 years”. (ANI)
This lack of a clear response underscored the urgent need for international attention and action to address the pressing issues facing Afghan women and girls…reports Asian Lite News
A group of women’s rights activists in Afghanistan have initiated a campaign to officially recognize “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, Khaama Press reported.
Tamana Zaryab Paryany and other European Afghan activists set up a protest camp in Wuppertal, Germany on Friday, inviting Afghan activists in Europe to join the campaign.
A statement on Paryany’s social media page read, “We call upon the conscience of women and all free individuals in Germany to stand with our sisters in Afghanistan and not allow the regime of gender apartheid to persist in Afghanistan.”
Notably, these women’s rights activists had previously gone on a hunger strike by setting up a protest camp in Cologne, Germany, from September 10-22, Khaama Press reported.
They also negotiated with representatives of the German government, the US, and the United Nations, but these negotiations have yet to satisfy their demands, as per Khaama Press.
Earlier, Paryany had issued a statement detailing her meeting with
a representative of the German Foreign Ministry. She had passionately conveyed the concerns and messages of Afghan women, but to her disappointment, she has yet to receive a definitive response from the ministry, Khaama Press reported.
This lack of a clear response underscored the urgent need for international attention and action to address the pressing issues facing Afghan women and girls.
Last month, the United Nations held a session to recognize the “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule.
Recently, a group of women known as the “Window of Hope Women’s Movement of Afghanistan” has also called for the recognition of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan. They emphasized that the United Nations and human rights organizations breaking their silence and taking action to combat gender apartheid in Afghanistan are crucial, Khaama Press reported.
Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.
Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.
A startling 80 per cent of Afghan girls and young women, who are of school-going age, are currently denied access to education under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a new report by Care International stated, according to Khaama Press.
It has been more than two years since girls above grade six have been prohibited from attending schools in Afghanistan, and it is unclear when those doors will reopen, Tolo News reported.
Afghanistan remains the only country to ban girls’ and women’s education, resulting in a substantial economic toll of approximately USD 5.4 billion. (ANI)
Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021….reports Asian Lite News
If Taliban does not respect women’s rights, it cannot join the international community, the US envoy for Afghan women and human rights, Rina Amiri said, Khaama Press reported on Saturday.
Amiri, on her social media platform X, revealed that during the 78th UN General Assembly, she engaged in high-level meetings with officials from various countries, concentrating specifically on Afghanistan and the challenges faced by women and girls.
According to Amiri, officials delivered a clear message: The Taliban must respect Afghan and women’s rights to be part of the international community, according to Khaama Press.
During a meeting with representatives of Muslim-majority countries on the sidelines of the UNGA, there was unanimous agreement that the Taliban’s oppressive policies, especially towards women and girls, are incompatible with global norms and deeply harmful to Afghanistan.
The participants committed to sustaining international solidarity for Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of diplomatic and concrete efforts to support Afghan women and girls.
Meanwhile, Amiri stressed the need for the international community to communicate to the Taliban that engagement seeks to improve the situation, conditional on respecting people’s rights. She emphasized promoting civic discourse, tolerance, and meaningful representation for women and civil society in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.
She also called for concrete support, including education, scholarships, and job opportunities, to counter the Taliban’s repressive actions.
Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.
Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls and women in the war-torn country have no access to education, employment and public spaces.
A startling 80 per cent of Afghan girls and young women, who are of school-going age, are currently denied access to education under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, a new report by Care International stated, according to Khaama Press.
It has been more than two years since girls above grade six have been prohibited from attending schools in Afghanistan, and it is unclear when those doors will reopen, Tolo News reported.
Afghanistan remains the only country to ban girls’ and women’s education, resulting in a substantial economic toll of approximately USD 5.4 billion. (ANI)
The plan to evict more than 1.1 million illegal Afghan refugees has been approved by the federal cabinet through the Interior Ministry circulation summary….writes Mohammed Anas
Escalating tension with the neighbouring Taliban government, Pakistan has decided to evict all of Afghan refugees – numbering 1.1 million. The move, the first major policy decision of the interim Anwarul Haq Kakar government, follows constant refusal of the Afghan Taliban regime to act against Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that has launched a bloody campaign against Pakistan armed forces and its cadres allegedly to find sanctuary in Afghanistan.
The decision on repatriation of Afghans, said the Express Tribune, is yet to be officially communicated. But the plan to evict more than 1.1 million illegal Afghan refugees has been approved by the federal cabinet through the Interior Ministry circulation summary.
Pakistan is frustrated that despite repeated demands the Afghan Taliban are reluctant to take action against the TTP. Last week, a Pakistani delegation led by special envoy on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani visited Kabul to press upon the Taliban government to take action against the TTP.
It was said that the Afghan Taliban promised to take some tangible steps to neutralise the TTP threat. Officials in Pakistan, however, are sceptical as the Afghan Taliban previously also made similar commitments.
According to sources as many as 400,000 Afghans entered Pakistan illegally since the return of the Afghan Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021, adding that there have been another 700,000 Afghans identified who have been living in the country illegally.
Islamabad has hosted millions of refugees for decades and at one point five million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan. Some estimates suggested that there were still close to four million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. However, the count of individuals possessing valid refugee cards, as per official records, is considerably lower.
Sources added that the decision to evict illegal Afghan refugees came after the crackdown against terrorism, currency smuggling, and the illegal trade of sugar and fertilizer.
In the first phase, the Afghan refugees who are residing illegally and have not renewed their visas will be evicted, an ARY news report said, adding that Afghan citizens will be evicted in the second phase whereas the proof of residence card holders will be repatriated in the third phase.
Earlier, in a citywide crackdown launched against illegal immigrants, the Karachi police claimed to have arrested at least 293 Afghan nationals for staying in the metropolis without valid travel documents.
In a statement, the police said several raids were carried out between September 9 to 12, wherein at least 253 illegal Afghan immigrants were taken into custody.
Meanwhile, 68 immigrants were arrested from Korangi district and 49 from Kemari district. Separately, 91 Afghan citizens were arrested from Gulshan Iqbal, Shahrah Faisal, Sohrab Goth and other areas.
The interim cabinet gave authorities the go-ahead to make arrangements for sending all these Afghans back to their homeland.
Sources further said the Afghan Taliban government was also informed about Pakistan’s decision.
The move by Pakistan to evict illegal Afghan refugees is likely to trigger a response from the Afghan Taliban government and importantly from the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which is against the policy of forced repatriation of refugees.
India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj speaks at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, April 24, 2023. (Photo Source: UN)
India’s permanent representative to the UN also underscored India’s commitment to helping Afghan people through educational scholarships and collaborations with UN agencies….reports Asian Lite News
India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj has reiterated the country’s steadfast dedication to peace, stability and humanitarian support for Afghanistan.
In a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan on Wednesday, Kamboj highlighted three key observations regarding the situation in Afghanistan while drawing upon India’s historical and civilisational ties with the Afghan people.
“At #UNSC Briefing on Afghanistan, Amb @ruchirakamboj, our Permanent Representative, reaffirmed India’s steadfast dedication to peace, stability & humanitarian support for our Afghan friends. India’s commitment shines through educational scholarships & collaborations with UN agencies,” posted Permanent Mission of India to the UN on X.
“As Afghanistan’s contiguous neighbour and a friend to its people, India has direct stakes in ensuring the return of peace and stability to the country,” said Kamboj at the outset of her address.
She also said that India’s collective approach to Afghanistan has been articulated in Security Council Resolution 2593, which was adopted on August 30, 2021, following the fall of Kabul and the subsequent Taliban takeover.
“In this regard, our common and immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people, the formation of an inclusive and representative government structure, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities,” Kamboj added.
India’s permanent representative to the UN also underscored India’s commitment to helping Afghan people through educational scholarships and collaborations with UN agencies.
“Given the distressing humanitarian situation in the country, we need to prioritize humanitarian assistance to the people. India has delivered assistance to Afghanistan in the form of food grains, medicines, vaccines, disaster relief aid, winter clothing and materials for education,” she said.
She said that India has continued scholarships to Afghan students. It has also partnered with the UN Office of Drugs and Crime in its humanitarian efforts, and our assistance will continue for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan,” Khamboj said.
“We have collaborated with several UN agencies on the ground and will continue to do so for the welfare of the people of the country,” she said.
She reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to “keeping Afghanistan close to our hearts”.
“Going forward, India will continue to raise its voice in support of the Afghan people. We believe that the pursuit of peace and stability in Afghanistan is an urgent and shared imperative that demands our collective dedication,” said Kamboj.
Already grappling with poverty, Afghanistan found itself sinking further into destitution due to international isolation and the economic turmoil triggered by the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a staggering increase in poverty, with 97 per cent of Afghans living below the poverty line, a stark rise from 47 per cent in 2020, according to Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom
The absence of social safety nets forced desperate families into distressing measures such as child marriages and organ trafficking. Despite dire circumstances, the humanitarian aid provided fell far short of meeting the basic needs of the population.
The Afghan economy continued to suffer from the freezing of foreign reserves and the reduction of development assistance, punitive actions taken by the international community in response to the Taliban’s ascent.
In 2022, most of the aid flowing into Afghanistan was humanitarian in nature, primarily aimed at averting starvation, with minimal support for other critical social services such as healthcare, employment, and education.
The mass exodus of skilled professionals—doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, and government officials—left these sectors severely under-resourced, exacerbating the country’s woes.
The Taliban regime imposed increasingly draconian restrictions on women’s rights, stifled media freedom, and curtailed freedom of expression. Institutions dedicated to safeguarding human rights were either severely restricted or completely shuttered. Peaceful protesters found themselves at the mercy of arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances.
Women’s rights suffered relentless attacks, severely limiting their participation in public life. Shockingly, Afghanistan stood alone as the only country where girls were forbidden from attending secondary school. Almost all initiatives addressing gender-based violence, established during the previous government, were dismantled by the Taliban, leaving women and vulnerable populations even more vulnerable, Amnesty International reported. (ANI)
Ansari highlighted that Qatar is working to mediate in Afghanistan and the rest of the world….reports Asian Lite News
Following the worsening situation in Afghanistan, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar Majed Al-Ansari said that the complete isolation of Afghanistan will not work and the only way forward is engagement, reported TOLO News.
“We fully understand that the situation in Afghanistan today is not easy for the international community to engage with the current government, but complete isolation is not the situation, it didn’t work, it will not work” and “the only way forward is engagement,” he said.
Moreover, Ansari highlighted that Qatar is working to mediate in Afghanistan and the rest of the world.
“Afghanistan is a very important topic for Qatar. We are highly invested in that issue. We are working on mediating between Afghanistan and the rest of the world basically. So, a lot of things to be done,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to some political analysts, it is important to have a mediator to resolve the current situation in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.
Sayed Qaribullah Sadat, a political analyst said, “The issue of China and Taiwan is a problem, and a mediator is needed. The issue of Saudi Arabia and Iran has a problem, and a mediator is needed, similarly, Afghanistan’s position from a political and economic point of view and the challenges that Afghanistan’s politics face, needs a mediator.”
Another political analyst noted that Qatar can be a good mediator in the ongoing situation of Afghanistan as its political journey began from Qatar.
“Qatar can both pave the way and become a good mediator in the current situation because the political journey of the Islamic Emirate started from Qatar,” said Mohammad Ajmal Zurmati, a political analyst.
Moreover, according to TOLO News, Ansari said Qatar’s Foreign Minister and the Taliban leader have discussed various issues in a meeting, including women’s right to work and education, reported TOLO News.
Earlier this week, the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett said that women and girls in Afghanistan have lost trust in the global community and the international community has betrayed Afghan women, reported Khaama Press.
Bennett made these remarks during a session titled “Combatting Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan” on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly held on Friday.
Further, he called for practical measures to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
He stated that Afghan women and girls have been left isolated and a sense of mistrust towards the global community has developed among Afghan women.
Afghan women have been facing discrimination and injustice for two years now. Be it in terms of education, jobs, or life, they have been suffering since the Taliban took over.
Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. (ANI)
The World Food Programme tweeted on Tuesday that due to the funding cut, one million women and their children will no longer get nutritional support….reports Asian Lite News
The World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan claims that women are in danger of losing their final lifeline as a result of budget cuts, Khaama Press reported.
The World Food Programme tweeted on Tuesday that due to the funding cut, one million women and their children will no longer get nutritional support.
According to the official of the Emergency of WFP in Afghanistan, “Women are being gradually excluded from social life every day, with minimal opportunities for livelihood and nutrition for their offspring,” Khaama Press reported.
At an earlier meeting in Brussels, Carl Skau, the WFP’s deputy executive director, said that he had a proposal for an urgent fundraising appeal that would specifically target Afghanistan.
The main goal is to keep the nation from experiencing a catastrophic winter disaster.
Prior to the gathering, Skau announced, “I am currently in Brussels for a high-level meeting on Afghanistan, attended by partners and donors, and generously hosted by the European Commission,” reported Khaama Press.
According to Skau, the major goal of the discussion is to develop a plan and strategy to aid the Afghan populace through the impending winter. WFP’s important humanitarian initiatives in Afghanistan have had to be scaled back recently due to funding restrictions as the country continues to face humanitarian crisis under the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the group also emphasises the need for USD1 billion to support those who are most in need throughout the next hard winter.
While 15 million people in Afghanistan are still trying to figure out where their next meal will come from, the World Food Programme is talking about financial constraints.
India voices support of Afghan people
India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj has reiterated the country’s steadfast dedication to peace, stability and humanitarian support for Afghanistan.
In a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan on Wednesday, Kamboj highlighted three key observations regarding the situation in Afghanistan while drawing upon India’s historical and civilisational ties with the Afghan people.
“At #UNSC Briefing on Afghanistan, Amb @ruchirakamboj, our Permanent Representative, reaffirmed India’s steadfast dedication to peace, stability & humanitarian support for our Afghan friends. India’s commitment shines through educational scholarships & collaborations with UN agencies,” posted Permanent Mission of India to the UN on X.
“As Afghanistan’s contiguous neighbour and a friend to its people, India has direct stakes in ensuring the return of peace and stability to the country,” said Kamboj at the outset of her address.
She also said that India’s collective approach to Afghanistan has been articulated in Security Council Resolution 2593, which was adopted on August 30, 2021, following the fall of Kabul and the subsequent Taliban takeover.
“In this regard, our common and immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people, the formation of an inclusive and representative government structure, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities,” Kamboj added.
India’s permanent representative to the UN also underscored India’s commitment to helping Afghan people through educational scholarships and collaborations with UN agencies.
“Given the distressing humanitarian situation in the country, we need to prioritize humanitarian assistance to the people. India has delivered assistance to Afghanistan in the form of food grains, medicines, vaccines, disaster relief aid, winter clothing and materials for education,” she said.
She said that India has continued scholarships to Afghan students. It has also partnered with the UN Office of Drugs and Crime in its humanitarian efforts, and our assistance will continue for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan,” Khamboj said.
“We have collaborated with several UN agencies on the ground and will continue to do so for the welfare of the people of the country,” she said. (ANI)
Three UN organisations will receive off-budget direct money as part of the Expanding Essential Food Security and Health Services Project, also known as Support for Afghan People, to meet their urgent financial requirements for immediate assistance in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News
The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has issued a warning that Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where approximately two million people are suffering from severe food insecurity, and emphasises that at least 41 million people in Afghanistan face severe acute food insecurity at an alarming level there, Khaama Press reported.According to a statement released by the group on Saturday, Afghanistan is one of the 10 nations where 19.9 million people lack access to adequate food.Nearly 70 per cent of people who need food immediately live in nations including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Somalia, according to the organization’s study, Khaama Press reported.The World Food Programme emphasised that an alarming degree of severe acute food insecurity affects 41 million people in Afghanistan. Prior to this, a number of international assistance organisations have voiced worries about budgetary constraints for helping those in need in Afghanistan.Additionally, the head of the World Food Programme, David Beasley, had issued a warning that activities will be suspended in Afghanistan after October because of a shortage of funding, Khaama Press reported.The Asian Development Bank has committed to giving Afghanistan USD 400 million in aid, with an emphasis on empowering women. This huge investment emphasises how crucial it is to support the nation’s most vulnerable communities during these trying times.The United Nations will oversee the administration of this assistance. It will primarily address current food shortages, increase regional food production for long-term food security, and make sure that the Afghan people have access to basic healthcare services.Notably, it is due to the effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes, Afghanistan is currently experiencing an unparalleled humanitarian catastrophe.Women and children are particularly affected by poverty, which affects around 85 per cent of the population. According to the report, families headed by women are especially at risk for food shortages and limited access to essential services because of mobility issues, reported Khaama Press.
Three UN organisations will receive off-budget direct money as part of the Expanding Essential Food Security and Health Services Project, also known as Support for Afghan People, to meet their urgent financial requirements for immediate assistance in Afghanistan.The World Food Programme (WFP) will receive a grant of USD100 million to address food security. More than 1.32 million people who are severely food insecure will benefit from this assistance, with a special emphasis on families headed by women and extremely vulnerable groups.
Additionally, WFP will undertake Food Assistance for Training programmes to equip mostly women with marketable skills and business possibilities in agricultural areas including fruit and vegetable processing, supporting sustainable income and livelihoods for women, Khaama Press reported.Afghanistan, a country heavily reliant on aid, lost Western donor support with the Taliban’s return to power following the US and NATO pullout in August 2021. (ANI)The Afghan economy swiftly collapsed, forcing self-sufficient Afghans to seek humanitarian aid to survive. Because of widespread human rights violations, the Taliban’s regime has been under international isolation.Notably, with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities. (ANI)
