The United Nations is seeking to triple its Afghanistan-focused programs in light of the “various needs and circumstances” of the country.
The UN organization stated it is seeking $4.5 billion to help vulnerable people around the world in 2022, and cited the crisis in Afghanistan as an example of the need.
“We never left Afghanistan and we are there now with a projected programme for 2022 three times, three times the size of the program for 2021 because of the various needs and circumstances that you know so well,” said Martin Griffiths, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“The absence of cash in Afghanistan is a major impediment to any delivery of services,” he added. “I am hoping that we get it up and running before the end of this month.”
With the fall of the former government, the freezing of Afghan assets and the shortage of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the country has recently plunged into a severe economic crisis.
Hazrat Gul, 43, is working as a shoe polisher in the capital, Kabul. Gul said that he has been struggling with dire economic problems.
“I pay 3,000 Afs rent. I come here every morning, but I still can’t provide food for my family,” he said.
“The Islamic Emirate doesn’t have good relations with the UN and therefore the UN is concerned about the aid and stresses it should be directly handed over to the vulnerable people,” said Khwaja Fahim Abasi, a university instructor.
While the UN emphasized that the aid would be provided on the ground by its agencies, the government said it had formed a committee to deal with the humanitarian crisis in the country.
“The Islamic Emirate formed a committee to manage the humanitarian aid. The committee is active under the Economy Ministry and will cooperate in the distribution of aid to vulnerable people,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
The Da Afghanistan Central Bank said on Twitter Thursday that a $16M of cash aid has arrived in Kabul and will be distributed by UNAMA to the people of Afghanistan.
