Humanitarian crisis grows in Afghanistan

 An Afghan woman in the village of Badakhshan An Afghan woman in the village of Badakhshan Photo by Joel Heard on Unsplash

15 July 2021

While the world looks on, millions in Afghanistan need immediate humanitarian assistance

As foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan, some 18 million people, representing half of the population, are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. For this reason, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov, has appealed to the international community to increase its financial support for humanitarian efforts in the country. $1.3 billion are needed to support civilians who are displaced and malnourished; however, only $450 million have been received thus far, half of which has been provided by the United States.

Displacement caused by the prolonged conflict has now been worsened by drought which, in addition to the military offensive against the Taliban, has forced further 270,000 Afghans to flee their homes since January. In Kunduz alone, a city in the northern part of Afghanistan, around 35,000 displaced people are in need of basic goods and services, such as food and water.

After visiting the country, Mr. Alakbarov raised further concerns in relation to the situation of women and children. Women are facing extremely difficult conditions, especially considering that many of them have had to flee whilst pregnant or caring for extended families. The children in these families are likewise severely affected by the crisis, with half of all children under five in Afghanistan now suffering from acute malnutrition. 

 

Sources:

Afghanistan: Funding shortfall amid deepening humanitarian crisis - Afghanistan | ReliefWeb 

Afghanistan: 270,000 newly displaced this year, warns UNHCR | | UN News 

 

Author:Alessia Rossinotti; Editor: Alexander Collin

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