UN to donors: Resume development aid to Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Six million Afghans are at risk of famine, the United Nations has warned, saying poverty is deepening in the war-devastated country.

Speaking at the UN Security Council on Monday, the UN humanitarian chief called for donors to resume funding for Afghanistan’s economic development.

The Associated Press quoted Martin Griffiths as telling the 15-member council that an amount of $770 million was needed immediately to help Afghans survive the upcoming winter.

A stop to major development assistance after the Taliban’s return to power is among the many challenges facing Afghanistan, where 24 million people need aid and nearly 19 million are facing severe food insecurity.

If agriculture and livestock production were not protected, Griffiths warned, millions of lives and livelihoods would be on the line. Afghanistan’s ability to produce food would also be risked, he added.

The UN official cautioned: “The consequences of inaction on both the humanitarian and development fronts will be catastrophic and difficult to reverse.”

PAN Monitor/mud