ICRC says cash needed to prevent hunger in Afghanistan:

KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says economic sanctions on Afghanistan have caused widespread suffering and payments must be found to stem the tide of hunger.

Dominic Steelhart, head of ICRC operations, called on donor countries to find ways of sending money to Afghanistan in order to prevent severe hunger.

Dominic met with Maulvi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, in Kabul. He said during his visit to Afghanistan he had seen children suffering for severe hunger.

Based on a ICRC plan, he said, financial and technical assistance would be provided to 18 important hospitals in Afghanistan.

He said the plan for the next six months would include the payment of salaries and other expenses to about 5,000 workers.

sa/mud