In Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, a mother struggles to raise her eight children. UNICEF/Mark Naftalin In Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, a mother struggles to raise her eight children.
February 28, 2023 Humanitarian aid Climate change and the recession continue to exacerbate the crisis in Afghanistan, stalling efforts to get girls back into the classroom, a senior United Nations official said today.
Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, today briefed reporters from the world’s leading media headquarters in New York on the latest developments in Afghanistan. He noted that 28 million people in the country are currently dependent on aid for survival. huge humanitarian need Alakbarov said through an online video in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan: ” Although Turkey and Syria have recently experienced major earthquakes and humanitarian assistance is urgently needed, the country with the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world in 2023 is still Afghanistan.
The United Nations and its partners have called for $4.6 billion in funding by 2023 to provide aid to the Afghan people. Alakbarov reported that in the past 18 months, Afghanistan’s gross domestic product has fallen by 35%, the cost of the basic food basket has risen by 30%, unemployment has risen by 40%, and 75% of people’s income has been lost.
Used to buy food. Give Girls a Voice The UN’s ongoing engagement with the Taliban comes after Afghanistan ‘s de facto Taliban authorities announced a ban on girls’ secondary education and women’s work in local and international aid agencies. Alakbarov expressed regret:
“As of now, we have not seen any positive progress in helping girls re-enter education. In this regard, the United Nations continues to speak out for girls. Arakbarov also reported on the humanitarian work of the United Nations. He noted that the Taliban made an exception to allow women to work in the health and education sectors after Martin Griffiths, emergency relief coordinator for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, visited Afghanistan last month.
“After the waiver, all women in Afghanistan working in offices, hospitals, health centers or mobile health teams will be able to provide not only medical services to patients but also psychological support and participate in community-based health and nutrition activities,” said Alakbarov. . ” education gap The situation of female teachers has also improved and they are able to provide education to the community through NGOs.
While this approach works nationwide, specific solutions vary by province. “These localized solutions are often limited by local conditions, such as the requirement in some areas that these women need to have a male guardian, take female-only transport and wear a black burqa or headscarf before they can go out to work,” Alakbarov said. . ” Intervention and Guarantee Asked about Taliban interference in aid delivery, Alakbarov said there had been “significant Taliban interference in aid” in at least two provinces in the past four months, leading to a halt in aid deliveries.
But aid was restored as soon as the problem was resolved. “Recent access problems and aid suspensions are related to previous Taliban directives prohibiting Afghan women from participating in the work of national and international NGOs , rather than security concerns,” Alakbarov said.
Our aid is still allowed to flow throughout Afghanistan. Responding to questions about how the UN is ensuring that aid funds are not diverted to the Taliban, Alakbarov described some of the existing risk management and mitigation mechanisms, such as payment verification systems and third-party monitoring. full human rights In addition, beneficiaries of the aid can also communicate with the United Nations through a hotline and other means, and can “file a complaint, or raise an alarm, or make a report”.
Asked about alleged divisions within the Taliban leadership over education and humanitarian bans, Arakbarov did not comment, but stressed the need for de facto authorities to ensure that Afghan women and girls have the right to be part of society. Full membership includes access to work, education, health care and other services.
