Humanitarian, development efforts being coordinated: UN

KABUL (Pajhwok): UN humanitarian aid coordinator for Afghanistan Daniel Andres says the world’s body is implementing a new plan aimed at coordinating humanitarian and development efforts in the war-torn country.

Talking at a coordination meeting between Islamic Emirate and UN officials, Andres said the goal of the new plan was to consider Afghanistan’s long-term needs and the principle of continuity of aid.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal wrote on his Twitter page that Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, representatives of the ministries of Interior, finance, public health and economy represented the Islamic Emirate.

Representatives of Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and heads of other agencies participated in the meeting.

Takal said the meeting discussed the UN new strategic plan for Afghanistan and the current situation of international aid in the country.

Andres said funding situation had improved after last coordination meeting with the Islamic Emirate.

He said the new plan was aimed at considering Afghanistan’s long-term needs, sustainability of aid and coordinating humanitarian and developmental efforts.

Amir Khan Muttaqi said future aid to the country should be managed in a way that continuously benefited the people and the country could reach economically self-sufficiency gradually.

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue such meetings and resolve future problems through mutual understanding and coordination.

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