Observers have warned that millions of people in Afghanistan face starvation or migration.
United Nation:
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by the United States to help humanitarian aid reach desperate Afghans while seeking to keep money out of the hands of the Taliban.
The resolution – a first step by the UN after months of debate over how to avert a humanitarian disaster amid the economic downturn in Afghanistan – was welcomed by Islamists as a “good step”.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August, billions of dollars in aid and assets have been frozen by the West in what the United Nations describes as an “unprecedented fiscal shock” to the economy. Afghanistan depends on aid.
For months now, observers have warned that millions of people face a choice between starving to death or emigrating as a food, fuel and cash crisis combine during the harsh winter.
The Security Council resolution allows aid to flow into the country for up to a year without violating international sanctions aimed at isolating the Taliban, a regime not recognized by the international community.
“We appreciate it (because) it can help the economic situation of Afghanistan,” said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, adding that he hoped the international community would “accelerate” the removal as well. lift crippling banking and economic sanctions imposed on entities linked to the group.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “UN sanctions are an important tool to respond to threats and violations of human rights, but we must ensure they do not get in the way the provision of urgently needed aid.”
The United States also announced additional steps on Wednesday to ease sanctions on the Taliban to allow aid, updating guidance to clarify that exports of goods and cash transfers are allowed as long as they not to individuals sanctioned by the US.
Food aid ‘vital’
In Afghanistan, aid workers can engage in financial transactions with ministries headed by sanctioned individuals. The UN resolution ensures that aid workers do not violate sanctions.
The document also includes monitoring of aid destinations, as well as a United Nations report on aid performance every six months.
The immunity could be reversed if evidence showed it was being abused, a diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity earlier this week.
Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths welcomed the resolution, saying it would allow more than 160 humanitarian organizations “to provide vital food and medical assistance in Afghanistan … to do the job.” that we planned.”
After the Taliban returned to power, the US froze nearly $9.5 billion from the central bank of Afghanistan and the World Bank also suspended aid to Kabul.
Money has collapsed, and without money to pay civil servants, families have to sell furniture and jewelry to make a living.
With the country also ravaged by drought and the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations earlier this month warned the fiscal shock could cause the economy to shrink by 20% within a year.
International aid accounts for 40% of Afghanistan’s GDP and funds 80% of its budget.
But Mujahid said the country is not facing such a crisis.
“Aid has come from many countries and the government has a lot of food sources that can be used,” Mujahid said.
“So we don’t see the threat of a humanitarian crisis even though people need support.”
On Wednesday, Russia called on the West to release Afghan assets.
The World Bank announced on December 10 that it will provide $280 million in humanitarian aid to UNICEF and the World Food Program by the end of December, to be distributed in Afghanistan.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
