The UK is set to commit a further £286 million of emergency UK aid to the Afghan people to provide life-saving food and emergency health support. The new money is announced ahead of the UN Afghanistan Conference, which will bring together international allies to raise vital funds for humanitarian aid, as well as protect women and girls and support stability in the region. The UN is seeking to raise more than $4 billion – its largest ever appeal for a single country. The UN estimates that … [Read more...] about UK pledges £286 million of lifesaving aid for Afghanistan
New report reveals almost half of Afghans now face acute hunger, CARE warns of increased risks of women and girls
A new report reveals Afghanistan has descended deeper into an already alarming hunger crisis, exacerbated by drought, increasing displacement, rising food prices, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic decline, with 18.8 million people, close to half the population, now facing acute hunger - an almost 30% increase from the same time last year. “People in many parts of Afghanistan are resorting to extreme measures just to put food on the table – they’re selling the few assets they have, making tough … [Read more...] about New report reveals almost half of Afghans now face acute hunger, CARE warns of increased risks of women and girls
Hunger takes root for millions, Half of Afghanistan’s children under five expected to suffer
Wrapping up a two-day visit to Herat, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and WFP Afghanistan Representative and Country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, sounded the alarm on the dire state of malnutrition and food insecurity sweeping across Afghanistan. 14 million people in Afghanistan are facing acute food insecurity, and an estimated 3.2 million children under the age of five expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. At least 1 million of … [Read more...] about Hunger takes root for millions, Half of Afghanistan’s children under five expected to suffer
FAO appeals for $36 million to urgently save rural livelihoods and avoid massive displacement
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu called for urgent assistance to help save Afghanistan's next wheat harvest, keep life-sustaining farm animals alive, and avoid a deterioration of the country's already severe humanitarian crises. FAO is seeking $36 million to speed up its support to Afghan farmers and ensure they will not miss the upcoming winter wheat planting season, and to assist the agriculture-based livelihoods of 3.5 … [Read more...] about FAO appeals for $36 million to urgently save rural livelihoods and avoid massive displacement
Islamic Relief USA approves $800,000 worth of domestic projects to assist refugees from Afghanistan
Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization has approved $800,000 worth of domestic projects to assist refugees from Afghanistan. These programs will 1.) Provide food boxes to refugee families and 2.) Provide support to refugee resettlement organizations through a grant program. “During these increasingly difficult times, it’s incumbent upon us and the world community at large to help our brothers and sisters arriving in the states from Afghanistan during this … [Read more...] about Islamic Relief USA approves $800,000 worth of domestic projects to assist refugees from Afghanistan
Afghanistan: UNESCO urges freedom of expression and safety of journalists
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has called for freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in Afghanistan to be ensured, in full respect of international norms and human rights obligations. The Director-General said: “Access to reliable information and open public debate, facilitated by free and independent media, is crucial for Afghans to achieve the peaceful future they deserve. No-one should be afraid to say what they think at this critical juncture, and the safety of all … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: UNESCO urges freedom of expression and safety of journalists
UNHCR: Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cannot be forgotten
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is concerned about the prevailing humanitarian needs within Afghanistan, and urges support to ensure that all those requiring assistance are not forgotten. The situation on the ground across the country remains extremely fluid. While widespread fighting has decreased since the takeover of the country by the Taliban on Sunday, the full impact of the evolving situation is not yet clear. Many Afghans are extremely anxious about what the future holds. Bolstered … [Read more...] about UNHCR: Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cannot be forgotten
UNESCO calls for the protection of cultural heritage of Afghanistan diversity
Amid the rapidly unfolding events, and twenty years after the deliberate destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, a World Heritage site, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay “calls for the preservation of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage in its diversity, in full respect of international law, and for taking all necessary precautions to spare and protect cultural heritage from damage and looting”. UNESCO is closely following the situation on the ground and is committed to exercising all possible … [Read more...] about UNESCO calls for the protection of cultural heritage of Afghanistan diversity
WHO warns, medical lifeline to millions must not be cut in Afghanistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, the delivery of lifesaving aid and medical supplies to millions of Afghans must not be cut. WHO gave this warning while citing a more than threefold rise in the number of trauma cases. According to the UN health agency, 70 WHO-supported medical facilities across Afghanistan treated nearly 14,000 conflict-related cases last month, which compares with 4,057 cases seen a year ago. Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the … [Read more...] about WHO warns, medical lifeline to millions must not be cut in Afghanistan
EU leaders must ensure immediate protection of Afghans: Oxfam
In response to the meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on 17 August on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the exchange on the topic in the meeting of EU Home Affairs on 18 August, Oxfam calls on European governments to swiftly adopt urgent measures to protect all Afghans in need of assistance. Neighbouring countries are likely to be hosting the largest number of refugees. Richer countries have the responsibility to provide them with urgent support to ensure the protection of … [Read more...] about EU leaders must ensure immediate protection of Afghans: Oxfam
