IFRC Calls for Urgent Global Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

On Tuesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) called for urgent and sustained international action to control the recent conflict, drought, and pandemic, which have made 18 million Afghans more vulnerable and in need of humanitarian aid.

Although most of the world's countries have pledged continued humanitarian support, there is no clarity on how this help will be delivered following the fall of Kabul to the extremist Taliban movement last month.

Similarly, the Taliban group has appealed to the international community to continue support for Afghanistan.

"The U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Martin Griffiths, has promised to maintain assistance to the people of Afghanistan," a Taliban spokesman said early Sunday.

In a statement, IFRC said: "Nearly 18 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance as severe drought compounds hardships caused by years of conflict and the pandemic." 

"Tens of thousands of families have been evacuated from their homes, seeking food and shelter in urban areas where some are staying in relief camps without food or income," the statement added.

In response to this disaster, IFRC has been scaling up its appeal to more than 36 million Swiss francs ($39.34 million) to support the Afghan Red Crescent to deliver emergency relief and recovery assistance to 560,000 people in 16 provinces worst affected by drought and compounding conflict-induced displacement.

It's worth mentioning that IFRC is a global humanitarian aid organization that serves injured people and communities victimized by oppression or violent conflict worldwide.

Last month, the United Nations’ leader and the Security Council António Guterres indicated that the UN will provide aid to millions of Afghans facing the impending fall of the country to Taliban insurgents.

During an emergency meeting on the rapidly escalating chaos in Afghanistan, Guterres said: “We are pledging to remain in Afghanistan as urban areas, especially the capital, Kabul, are overflowing with people who have fled Taliban offensives in rural parts of the country.”

The UN’s leader and the Security Council called for an end to hostilities and the violence in Afghanistan, affirming that “there is a crucial need to break the cycle of violence to resume the national dialogue, rebuild mutual confidence and resume the peace process as possible as soon.”