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International organisations warn of escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

Int'l organisations warn of escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

The fourth Consultative Group (CG) meeting of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) has warned against an escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, a statement by the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon reported…reports Asian Lite News

The group on Monday emphasised the need for Lebanon to swiftly embark on a roadmap to exit this unfolding crisis through an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a comprehensive economic stabilisation and recovery program, Xinhua news agency reported.

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“The Lebanese government and parliament will have to find the political will to take collective steps beyond party politics; this will be an infusion of trust,” it said.

The 3RF Consultative Group, which consists of the government of Lebanon, Lebanese civil society, the European Union, United Nations, the World Bank, and international donors, monitors progress and gives strategic direction to the reforms and activities under the 3RF.

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World Food Programme seeks $2.6bn to feed Afghans in 2022

22.8 million Afghans have been identified as acutely food insecure, including hundreds of thousands who have been displaced by conflict in 2021, reports Asian Lite News

Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis and an economic fallout in Afghanistan, the World Food Program (WFP) has once again expressed concerns over the ongoing situation in the war-torn nation and said that they need up to $2.6 billion to feed the vulnerable people, the media reported.

Speaking to a radio outlet, WFP spokesperson for Afghanistan Shelley Thakral said that the Afghan people have survived acute hunger in the past, but the poverty and starvation this time is concerning, reports Khaama Press.

Thakral said that the worst drought in decades, a spike in food prices, and the Taliban’s takeover that triggered the economic fallout were the reasons why up to 23 million people of Afghanistan are currently starving.

“Hundreds of thousands of people especially teachers and construction workers who have been laid off after political transformation are experiencing food shortage and insecurity of food for the first time,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was “new urban class of hungry people”.

The spokesperson said that people have run out of vegetables, meat, and dairy at a time when malnutrition is on the rise.

ALSO READ: Humanitarian crisis costs more than ever in Afghanistan

She further added that some people were resorting to selling personal items in order to feed family members and get firewood to warm their homes.

According to WFP figures, 22.8 million Afghans have been identified as acutely food insecure, including hundreds of thousands who have been displaced by conflict in 2021.

Undernutrition rates were also increasing and 2 million children are malnourished.

ALSO READ: No women allowed in Afghan coffee shops

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Gass hold talks with Taliban on humanitarian crisis

Separately in a Twitter post, Longden said that serious and substantial discussions with the Taliban leadership…reports Asian Lite News.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s High Representative, Simon Gass, and Charge d’Affaires of the UK Mission to Afghanistan in Doha, Dr Martin Longden met with senior members of the Taliban and held discussions on several issues including the humanitarian crisis, terrorism, and rights of women and girls.

The talks took place in the capital city of Kabul after top UK officials travelled to Afghanistan. “They (UK officials) met senior members of the Taliban, including Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund and Mawlawi Abdul-Salam Hanafi,” UK Foreign Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Sir Simon and Dr Longden discussed how the UK could help Afghanistan to address the humanitarian crisis, the importance of preventing the country from becoming an incubator for terrorism, and the need for continued safe passage for those who want to leave the country,” the foreign office added.

Gass and Longden also raised the importance of safe passage for the UK and Afghan nationals. “The government continues to do all it can to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan,” the statement added.

Separately in a Twitter post, Longden said that serious and substantial discussions with the Taliban leadership.

“Back in Kabul with Sir Simon Gass for serious and substantial discussions with the Taliban leadership. A wide range of issues covered – including the humanitarian crisis, terrorism, the importance of safe passage for UK & Afghan nationals, and rights of women and girls,” Longden tweeted.

“It’s early days and, unsurprisingly, there are points of difference between us. But such difficult challenges lie ahead for Afghanistan (and beyond), it’s right to test if we can engage pragmatically and find common ground – in the interests of both the UK and Afghan peoples,” he said in a subsequent.

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