United Nations Humanitarian Chief, Martin Griffiths, on Monday issued a warning that six million Afghans are at risk of famine as the country continues to face extreme hardship and uncertainty under the Taliban leadership.
“Poverty is deepening, the population is still growing, and the de facto authorities have no budget to invest in their own future,” Griffiths said.
He made the remarks at a United Nation Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
Griffiths said more than half of the country’s population needed humanitarian assistance.
The country’s situation has further deteriorated with the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
The Taliban are a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after waging a twenty-year insurgency.
Following the U.S-led invasion that toppled the original regime in 2001, the Taliban regrouped across the border in Pakistan and began taking back territory less than ten years after their ouster.
By August 2021, the Taliban had swept back into power. The group’s swift offensive came as the United States withdrew its remaining troops from Afghanistan as outlined in a 2020 peace agreement with the Taliban.
The Taliban have imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law despite pledges to respect the rights of women and minority communities and provide amnesty for people who supported U.S. efforts.
Meanwhile, as they have transitioned from an insurgent group to a functional government, the Taliban have struggled to provide Afghans with security, adequate food, and economic opportunities.
Unemployment and extreme poverty had forced tens of thousands of Afghans to flee their country.
In addition, a devastating earthquake and flash floods have compounded the situation.
The international community is pumping roughly $40 million into the country’s economy weekly. But there were complaints that the Taliban was allocating most of the money to its supporters.
He said the UN urgently needed $600 million to support preparation for winter, such as upgrades and repairs to shelter, warm cloths, and blankets, and an additional $154 million for food and livelihood assistance.
(dpa/NAN)