UN urges nations to quickly disburse USD 1.2 billion in aid to Afghanistan

On Tuesday, United Nations urged countries that have promised to give USD 1.2 billion in aid to Afghanistan to transfer funds as soon as possible so that victims can receive food, medical care, and protection. On Tuesday, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that humanitarian relief promised at a high-level summit in Geneva on Monday includes financing for Afghan flash appeal and regional response to ANI. "We emphasised that pledges must be disbursed quickly so that United Nations and humanitarian partners, such as national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), can quickly turn funds into food, health care, and protection for Afghan children, women, and men in need," said Dujarric. He furr stated that UN and its partners continue to deliver aid to millions of Afghans in need and several relief missions me it to Maimana and Jalalab by ro from Mazar-i-Sharif. 

According to spokesperson, a convoy carrying UNHCR aid arrived in Nangarhar, second convoy of relief supplies to enter Afghanistan through Torkham Border Crossing since August 15. World Food Programme (WFP) continues to supply a month's worth of food to previously identified needy families. WFP is also distributing food and or essential supplies at crucial border locations in Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to avoid supply chain disruptions, according to Dujarric. Meanwhile, WFP has stated that return of humanitarian flights to Kabul following Taliban's takeover is a watershed moment in crisis. More than 90% of families are struggling for food, and with winter approaching, aid agencies have been "pushing hard to meet massive needs before it's too late," stated WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri. 

Afghanistan's business sector urges US to release its frozen assets

Since reinstatement of air link to Kabul on September 12, WFP-led Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has undertaken three cargo flights, bringing in medical supplies on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO). Meanwhile, on Monday, September 13, Afghanistan's business sector warned that country would face an economic catastrophe following Taliban's takeover and urged United States to release its frozen assets. Private sector representatives condemned freeze of Afghanistan's reserve by US as a violation of humanitarian law. y urged United Nations to defend rights of Afghans and work it is doing to attract humanitarian aid to country, as reported by Tolo News. 

(With agency inputs)

Image: AP/ANI