UN launches 606 Million USD flash appeal for Afghanistan
By: Anjali Sharma
Photo Credits: UN News
UNITED NATIONS- United Nations has launched $US$606 million flash appeal to assist 11 million people of Afghanistan.
The Flash Appeal for Afghanistan has now been posted online, the announcement said
It is consolidated by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team to address the immediate response gaps in Afghanistan.
The appeal is a prioritization of unmet needs in the annual Humanitarian Response Plan launched earlier this year, plus new emerging needs, as they are currently understood, according t the launch.
“We seek US$606 million to assist nearly 11 million people in the four remaining months of 2021. This includes 2 million people not previously covered in the Humanitarian Response Plan,” OCHA said in a press release.
It noted that $413 million of the money is already cost but unfunded in the annual response plan, while $193 million is for new emerging needs and changes in operating costs.
The appeal will deliver: critical food and livelihood assistance to nearly 11 million people, essential health services to 3.4 million people, treatment for acute malnutrition for more than 1 million children and women, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions for 2.5 million people, protection, including for children and survivors of gender-based violence, for 1.5 million people.
There are also projects addressing children’s emergency education as well as shelter and other non-food assistance, OCHA stated.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator for the United Nations, Martin Griffiths is currently in Kabul, according to a statement issued by the Secretary General office. It said that Mr. Griffiths met with Mullah Baradar and the leadership of the Taliban in Kabul to engage with the authorities on humanitarian issues. The statement noted that Mr. Griffiths reiterated the humanitarian community’s commitment to deliver impartial and independent humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of people in need.
He emphasized the critical role of women in the delivery of aid and called on all parties to ensure their rights, safety and well-being. He called for all civilians – especially women and girls and minorities – to be protected at all times. Mr. Griffiths expressed his solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, it said. It noted that the authorities pledged the safety and security of humanitarian staff, and humanitarian access to people in need, will be guaranteed and that humanitarian workers – both men and women – will be guaranteed freedom of movement.
The authorities committed to cooperate with the humanitarian community to ensure assistance is delivered to the people of Afghanistan, the statement noted. It also said that Mr. Griffiths will meet and convey gratitude to the representatives of humanitarian organizations, both UN agencies and non-government organizations, who remain operational in the country and have assisted eight million people this year. It said that as Afghanistan faces a looming humanitarian catastrophe, the Secretary-General has convened a high-level ministerial meeting to address the growing humanitarian needs in the country.
An urgent scale-up in funding is required so the lifesaving humanitarian operation can continue. The United Nations continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, the Secretary General said “Today in Afghanistan, half of the population – 18 million people – need humanitarian assistance to survive. One third don’t know where their next meal is coming from. More than half of all children under-five are at risk of acute malnutrition. A severe drought, the second in four years, will further contribute to hunger in the months ahead,” the statement stressed.. It reiterated that “Now more than ever, the people of Afghanistan need the support and solidarity of the international community.”
