Guterres Warns of ”Humanitarian Catastrophe” in Afghanistan and demands urgent aid for it

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday of an imminent “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan and urged the world to provide urgent financial aid following the departure of US forces from the country.

In a statement, the Council urged all Member States to do everything in their power for the people of Afghanistan, who are experiencing difficult times. I urge them to provide funding in a timely, flexible and comprehensive manner.

“Nearly half of the Afghan population, 18 million people, require humanitarian assistance to survive,” the UN secretary-general said.

“One in three Afghans doesn’t know where his next meal will come from,” he said, stressing that more than half of children under five will go hungry next year.

“More than ever, the children, women and men of Afghanistan need the solidarity of the international community,” Guterres said.

Without mentioning the Taliban, the UN official called on “all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access to vital and essential supplies.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told ”Al-Arabiya” and ”Al-Hadath” that the international community should engage with the Taliban to ensure the security of all.

He added: “It is important that the UN plays a role in protecting human rights in Afghanistan.” “The international community must support Afghanistan’s neighbors on refugees.”

The International Monetary Fund suspended aid to Afghanistan because of the uncertainty surrounding the status of governance in Kabul after the Taliban took control of the country, the IMF said.

The IMF added that the lack of clarity of vision of the international community regarding the recognition of a government in Afghanistan, requires the cessation of special drawing rights or other resources of the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF was to release a final batch of aid to Afghanistan under a program approved in November last year for a total of $370 million.

The EU also suspended development funding for Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the war-torn country.

Germany and Finland announced earlier on Tuesday that they would suspend development aid for the time being, with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell stressing a wider move to cut off funding.

Afghanistan’s economy is heavily dependent on access to foreign currency and international aid, most of which has been banned since the capital fell to the Taliban.