Amid the rapidly unfolding events in Afghanistan, the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has declared that the fundamental right to education for all, in particular for girls and women, must continue unhindered. UNESCO will spare no efforts to support all Afghans to ensure their right to education. The Director-General said: "Education is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of other human rights and for the development of Afghanistan. It is even more so at this … [Read more...] about UNESCO Director General calls for unhindered right to education in Afghanistan
Ireland to support people of Afghanistan with €1m in humanitarian aid
On behalf of Ireland, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., and the Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D., have announced €1m in humanitarian funding to support the people of Afghanistan. Minister Brophy said: “Through Irish Aid, the Government has already provided €1m in humanitarian support to people in Afghanistan this year. Today’s announcement of a further €1m is in response to the unprecedented challenges facing Afghanistan.” This funding … [Read more...] about Ireland to support people of Afghanistan with €1m in humanitarian aid
Afghanistan: UN chief urges restraint as Taliban reach Kabul
As the crisis in Afghanistan deepens by the hour, with reports that insurgent forces reached the country’s capital, Kabul, earlier on Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the Taliban and all other parties “to exercise utmost restraint to protect lives and ensure that humanitarian needs can be addressed.” A note issued to the UN press corps said that Mr. Guterres is following with deep concern the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan, as the conflict is forcing hundreds … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: UN chief urges restraint as Taliban reach Kabul
Open Society announces $10 million Afghanistan emergency fund
The Open Society Foundations announced the creation of a $10 million Afghanistan emergency fund to support Afghans in grave danger—including champions of human rights, women’s rights, and journalists—by expanding immediate protection opportunities. The Afghanistan Emergency Humanitarian Fund will help support sponsorship for humanitarian parole programs in the United States that provide a pathway to temporary refuge for those in harm’s way. President Mark Malloch-Brown said: “The Open … [Read more...] about Open Society announces $10 million Afghanistan emergency fund
UNHCR alarms Afghanistan’s conflict taking the heaviest toll on displaced women and children
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. As widespread fighting intensifies, the United Nations in Afghanistan continues to call for a permanent ceasefire and a negotiated settlement in the interests of the Afghan people. The human toll of spiraling hostilities is immense. The United Nations Assistance Mission has warned that without a significant de-escalation in violence, Afghanistan is on course to witness the highest ever number of … [Read more...] about UNHCR alarms Afghanistan’s conflict taking the heaviest toll on displaced women and children
UNHCR: Afghan refugees reach Iran as violence accelerates
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely concerned by the rapid escalation of conflict in Afghanistan this week. Amid intensified clashes in Nimruz province in the country’s south-west, nearly 200 Afghan refugees have been forced to flee to the Islamic Republic of Iran over the weekend. Many more Afghan civilians may find themselves trapped if they are unable to escape from the highly volatile situation. It is estimated that since the beginning of the year nearly 400,000 Afghans have been … [Read more...] about UNHCR: Afghan refugees reach Iran as violence accelerates
Women disproportionately affected by the drought in Afghanistan, indicates new CARE analysis
CARE International has conducted a Rapid Gender Analysis in June/July 2021 to assess the gendered impact of the drought in Afghanistan. In-person surveys were completed with 352 participants (63.5% female, 36.5% male) in Balkh, Ghazni, Herat, and Kandahar provinces; focus group discussions with 220 women; and interviews with 20 people (20% women and 80% men). CARE Afghanistan Deputy Country Director, Marianne O’Grady said: “The triple crisis of the economic hardship created by the pandemic, the … [Read more...] about Women disproportionately affected by the drought in Afghanistan, indicates new CARE analysis
Over 80% of Afghanistan is in serious drought
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) urges greater international support for millions of people in Afghanistan who are suffering due to worsening drought, COVID-19 and armed conflict. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officially declared a drought on 22 June, indicating that 30 percent of country is exposed to severe drought, 50 percent to serious drought and another 20 percent to moderate drought. Afghanistan’s wheat crop will be … [Read more...] about Over 80% of Afghanistan is in serious drought
First Swedish doses delivered through COVAX
Building on a pledge of SEK 2450 million to the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (Gavi COVAX AMC), the Swedish government has now donated the first of a pledge of three million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. The first deliveries from this donation have now arrived in Afghanistan (124,800 doses) and Kyrgyzstan (228,000 doses). These deliveries of Swedish-donated doses are helping COVAX deliver more life-saving vaccines to people around the world, especially in this third quarter of 2021 … [Read more...] about First Swedish doses delivered through COVAX
UNHCR warns of imminent humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning of a looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as the escalating conflict brings increased human suffering and civilian displacement. An estimated 270,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country since January 2021 – primarily due to insecurity and violence – bringing the total uprooted population to over 3.5 million. Families forced to flee their homes in recent weeks cite the worsening security situation as the predominant reason for … [Read more...] about UNHCR warns of imminent humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
