Geneva, Han 11, (dpa/GNA) – UN aid for Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in neighboring countries, will cost at least 5.1 billion dollars this year, according to a key UN agency.
The UN Office for Emergency Relief (OCHA) announced in Geneva on Tuesday, that this is the largest humanitarian appeal the United Nations has ever made for a country.
“Without support, tens of thousands of children risk dying from malnutrition because the most basic health services have collapsed,” OCHA said.
According to UN figures, 4.7 million people in Afghanistan are expected to suffer from severe malnutrition this year, including 3.9 million children. Without additional aid, 131,000 children are at risk of starvation, it said.
“A huge humanitarian disaster is looming,” said UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths. Such appeals for donations are primarily directed at governments and foundations.
Afghanistan’s economy collapsed after the chaotic withdrawal of the US and its allies, and the takeover by the militant Islamist Taliban in August.
The old government had received about 8.5 billion dollars in military and civilian aid annually, but foreign donors cut this off after the Taliban’s takeover. Aid money had financed about 75 per cent of government spending, including the health and education systems.
Many donors now find themselves in a dilemma. They do not want to help the Taliban stabilize their regime which oppresses women, disregards human rights and excludes other political forces. According to observers, however, the suspension of aid and sanctions mainly affects the population.
GNA