United Nations: Secterary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has allocated USD 20 million as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, saying the “de facto” authorities in the war-torn country have pledged to cooperate to ensure assistance is delivered to the people,” reports India Today.
“The people of Afghanistan need a lifeline. After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, they face perhaps their most perilous hour. Now is the time for the international community to stand with them,” Guterres was quoted at a humanitarian conference on Afghanistan in Geneva.
Guterres announced the allocation from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund on humanitarian grounds. Warning that there is a paucity of time, Guterres requested the international community to provide “lifeline to the people of Afghanistan – and do everything we can – and everything we owe – to help them hold on to hope.”
Guterres had asked UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths to visit Kabul last week for holding talks with the Taliban leaders.
“The de facto authorities pledged to cooperate to ensure assistance is delivered to the people of Afghanistan. Our staff and all aid workers must be allowed to do their vital work in safety — without harassment, intimidation or fear,” Guterres added.
