Afghan conflict displaced 700,000 in 2021, humanitarian situation dire: UN
Kabul, Oct 6 (EFE).- Nearly 700,000 people have been displaced by conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan this year, the United Nations said Wednesday.
The world body said, in a statement, that the global nonprofits were in a race against time to deliver life-saving aid to crisis-affected people ahead of the coming winter.
The Afghan situation deteriorated after the takeover of the Taliban following the collapse of the western-backed government on Aug.15.
The international community has not recognized the government of the Islamist group with global funds and aid facing a blockage.
The UN said millions of Afghans were deeply affected by decades of conflict and displacement, chronic poverty, the Covid-19 pandemic, a severe drought, a failing health system amid an economy on the brink of collapse.
The UN statement noted with a concern that the rights of women and girls and minorities in Afghanistan “are seriously under threat.”
The UN said the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was already one of the worst in the world at the beginning of 2021, with nearly half of the population – some 18.4 million people – in need of humanitarian assistance.
“Conflict and insecurity have displaced nearly 700,000 people within the county this year, with more than 3.5 million Afghans uprooted by conflict in total,” said the statement.
“Existing needs and vulnerabilities have deepened following recent events, and economic shocks are tipping more people in Afghanistan into crisis.”
On Sep.13, the humanitarian community launched an appeal for $606 million to provide priority life-saving aid to 10.8 million of the most vulnerable people in need by the end of the year.
“Despite the outpouring of support and global attention to the dire situation in Afghanistan, the flash appeal remains only 35 percent funded,” the UN said.
It urged the international donors to turn their pledges and commitments by donors into reality “before it is too late.”
“The people of Afghanistan must not pay the price of collective failures. They deserve a normal life in peace and dignity,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan.
“We will continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls, and of minority groups, as well as the rights of all to employment, food, healthcare, education, and safety.”
Mary-Ellen McGroarty, Representative and Country Director of WFP Afghanistan, said the country was on borrowed time.
“I have never before seen a crisis unfold at this pace and scale. We are witnessing a new depth of destitution as the drought and the economic crisis drives up food and fuel prices.” EFE
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