UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the allocation of $250 million from the United Nations global emergency fund to help the most vulnerable people in some of the most forgotten crises and stave off famines.
OCHA said in a statement that the fund will help people in 19 countries, including 8 countries that are home to more than 20 million people just one step away from famine in addition.
OCHA added that the fund will also bolster humanitarian response in underfunded crises in 11 countries to combat food insecurity and address the impacts of climate change and protracted crises.
According to the statement, Afghanistan is also among eight countries that are one step away from famine.
“I’m announcing the largest-ever allocation from our United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund — 250 million dollars, to combat famine and to address underfunded emergencies,” Guterres said.
This comes as the deputy head of the USAID, Isobel Coleman, vowed that Washington will continue its aid to Afghanistan.
“And while we withdrew our troops from Afghanistan, it doesn’t mean we have cut off all of our interaction with that country. Since August of 2021, when we withdrew our troops, USAID has put more than $1 billion of humanitarian assistance into Afghanistan,” Isabel said in an interview in Kazakhstan. “We are also continuing longer term economic development projects to benefit the people of Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy stressed the need for the allocation of humanitarian aid to development and agricultural sectors to create jobs for the people.
“It will be better if the aid is provided in coordination with ministries and relevant departments so that it is injected into sectors to create jobs through investment in agriculture, development, and farming. These are the basis of the Afghan economy in alleviation of poverty, creation of jobs and support of food security,” said Abdul Rahman Habib, a spokesman for the Ministry of Economy.
Analysts said that the international community’s aid has not been effective in the alleviation of poverty in the country.
“The aid is not economic and productive. Therefore, it cannot be expected that it will improve people’s lives. It can only help with the humanitarian catastrophe,” said Sayed Masoud, an analyst in economic affairs.
To meet the basic needs of 240 million people this year, OCHA said that “nearly $54 billion is required, but it is anticipated that less than half that amount will be raised.”
