UN Appeals for $229m in Aid for Afghanistan
November 30, 2000 - 0:0
ISLAMABAD -- The United Nations Wednesday launched an appeal for 229 million dollars in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, which has been battered by war, drought and the hard line policies of the ruling Taleban militia.
"In 2001, the scale of human misery (in Afghanistan) is expected to surpass even that of this year," UN acting coordinator for Afghanistan Mike Sackett told reporters.
He said the current drought in Afghanistan was the worst in more than 30 years and possibly much longer.
The UN official said cereal production had dropped by over 50 percent compared to two years ago, leaving the impoverished nation with a record deficit of 2.3 million tons.
He said the prolonged drought had triggered large-scale displacement of people to cities and neighboring states.
"As the weather gets colder, more Afghans are making the difficult choice to leave their homes, where they face possible starvation, for the uncertainties of Afghan cities, Iran and Pakistan, where they hope their chances of survival will be better." Sackett said an estimated 28,000 people have crossed into Pakistan due to drought and unending conflict in Afghanistan.
He said women have suffered extraordinary deprivation in Afghanistan, mainly ruled by Islamic Taleban who believe in strict interpretation of Islamic injunctions.
Under the Taleban-ruled 90 percent of Afghanistan, he said, women still live under highly restricted conditions. "They face discrimination in many spheres if life, being denied their rights to education and to employment outside the health sector." He said policies and practices of the radical Taleban authorities also posed serious challenges to the work of international relief agencies.
"The aid community is committed to reducing the suffering of the Afghan people, but this cannot happen without a commitment from donors to the needs of the Afghan people as expressed in this year's appeal," titled "Women and War".
The UN acting coordinator said deaths had started occurring due to drought in Afghanistan. "The situation is likely to deteriorate dramatically over the winter months." In response to a question, he said, funding this year for the consolidated appeal and specifically for the drought appeal had reached only around 50 percent of the amount needed. He said the critically important mine clearance program had also been affected by inadequate funding.
"While the world has tended to acknowledge the need for life saving assistance, it seems less willing to help meet Afghans and especially Afghan women's and girl's dire need for health care, water, sanitation, education, productive employment and realization of their rights," he added.
(DPA)
"In 2001, the scale of human misery (in Afghanistan) is expected to surpass even that of this year," UN acting coordinator for Afghanistan Mike Sackett told reporters.
He said the current drought in Afghanistan was the worst in more than 30 years and possibly much longer.
The UN official said cereal production had dropped by over 50 percent compared to two years ago, leaving the impoverished nation with a record deficit of 2.3 million tons.
He said the prolonged drought had triggered large-scale displacement of people to cities and neighboring states.
"As the weather gets colder, more Afghans are making the difficult choice to leave their homes, where they face possible starvation, for the uncertainties of Afghan cities, Iran and Pakistan, where they hope their chances of survival will be better." Sackett said an estimated 28,000 people have crossed into Pakistan due to drought and unending conflict in Afghanistan.
He said women have suffered extraordinary deprivation in Afghanistan, mainly ruled by Islamic Taleban who believe in strict interpretation of Islamic injunctions.
Under the Taleban-ruled 90 percent of Afghanistan, he said, women still live under highly restricted conditions. "They face discrimination in many spheres if life, being denied their rights to education and to employment outside the health sector." He said policies and practices of the radical Taleban authorities also posed serious challenges to the work of international relief agencies.
"The aid community is committed to reducing the suffering of the Afghan people, but this cannot happen without a commitment from donors to the needs of the Afghan people as expressed in this year's appeal," titled "Women and War".
The UN acting coordinator said deaths had started occurring due to drought in Afghanistan. "The situation is likely to deteriorate dramatically over the winter months." In response to a question, he said, funding this year for the consolidated appeal and specifically for the drought appeal had reached only around 50 percent of the amount needed. He said the critically important mine clearance program had also been affected by inadequate funding.
"While the world has tended to acknowledge the need for life saving assistance, it seems less willing to help meet Afghans and especially Afghan women's and girl's dire need for health care, water, sanitation, education, productive employment and realization of their rights," he added.
(DPA)