18 million Afghans directly need humanitarian assistance, Pakistan tells UN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday welcomed the United Nations’ efforts for the much-needed humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, saying the situation was getting “dire” for around 18 million Afghans who were directly in need of humanitarian assistance. 
The UN has urged the world to raise $606 million for Afghanistan, which is home to roughly 38 million people. Poverty and hunger are spiraling as foreign aid has dried up amid Western distrust of the Taliban, who took over the country on August 15. 
After decades of war and suffering, Afghans are facing “perhaps their most perilous hour,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his opening remarks to a conference in Geneva on Monday, seeking aid for Afghanistan. 
Pakistan shares the concern and has warned that a sluggish response from the international community could cause grave humanitarian consequences in the war-battered country. 
“Solidarity must be shown with the Afghan people at this pivotal juncture, both in terms of financial and political support. It is time to renew developmental partnerships, support nation-building, and meet the humanitarian needs of the Afghan population,” Foreign Minister Qureshi said in a statement. 
“Durable solutions require scaling up of developmental interventions, provision of livelihood opportunities, and ensuring of access to basic necessities such as food, health and education for the Afghan people.” 
He said the challenges were daunting and the situation was becoming dire for around 18 million people in Afghanistan, who were at the brink of starvation. 
The statement came amid reports that food supplies could run out in Afghanistan by the end of this month, after the West abruptly ended all aid to the war-torn nation. 
The Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, were toppled in an invasion led by the United States, which accused them of sheltering militants behind the September 11 attacks. 
They swept back to power last month in a lightning advance as the last US-led NATO troops pulled out and the forces of the Western-backed government melted away. 
Pakistan and other regional states have been engaged in efforts for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and to avert a looming humanitarian crisis. 
Beijing last week announced it would send $31 million worth of food and health supplies, while Islamabad sent supplies such as cooking oil and medicine, and called for the unfreezing of Afghan assets held abroad. 
“Past mistakes must not be repeated. The Afghan people must not be abandoned,” Qureshi said as he reminded of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and other countries. “It is essential to take a long-term view and adopt a pragmatic approach.” 
The foreign minister stressed the need for sustained engagement with Afghanistan, especially for meeting its humanitarian needs which he said was “indispensable.”