World leaders must commit to averting a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
10th September, 2021 -Decisions made by world leaders on Monday in Geneva will impact the future for Afghan children forever, that is according to international aid agency World Vision, as governments meet to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan.
With 2.7 million people on the brink of famine the aid agency says this is the time for action not words. It is essential that funding is significantly increased, realistic plans for ensuring humanitarian access are put in place, and the safety of female humanitarian workers and beneficiaries is prioritised.
Andrew Morley, World Vision International President and CEO says aid agencies are together deeply concerned about the unfolding crisis and is calling for more to be done.
“We urge leaders everywhere to stand alongside the children of Afghanistan in their hour of need. A hunger crisis threatens countless children’s futures. The scenes are heart-breaking – and we must act together to provide the resources on the ground, immediately. Children can only begin to achieve their dreams, to live life in all its fullness, with peace and stability in their country.”
World Vision Afghanistan National Director Asuntha Charles will be attending the UN-brokered High-level Ministerial Meeting remotely from Kabul, where she leads the NGOs response. Charles will join other aid agencies in pressing government ministerial representatives to commit to doing much more for Afghanistan.
“The UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan is only 39% funded, meaning US$786 million is still desperately needed to support over 18 million Afghans. That funding must be sustained and flexible, allowing aid agencies freedom to spend in ways that meet the highly fluid context,” said Ms. Charles.
As the current situation for many female workers remains unclear World Vision will also call on world leaders to urge the Taliban to protect the rights of women; including their right to work, to be humanitarian aid workers and to be able to safely receive aid assistance. The aid agency has restarted life-saving mobile health and nutrition clinics and food distributions in provinces where there is full commitment from the Taliban to involve both men and women on the work force and will scale up the rest of its prior operations as soon as all necessary safety assurances are in place.
“All humanitarian responders must have freedom to deliver assistance without threats or violence. This includes women, – not just as a right but also because it’s crucial to meeting the needs of all in need, including girls, mothers and pregnant women who may be invisible otherwise. Without a guarantee of safely for all aid workers, millions living in remote and rural areas are at risk of being cut off from essential aid. World leaders have the opportunity to help avert a potential crisis and save the lives of millions of boys and girls in Afghanistan - they must do everything they can to do so,” said Charles.
ENDS.
Notes to editor:
For more information please contact:
Niamh Cooper | Director of Media and Social Media Engagement | niamh_cooper@wvi.org | Skype: Niamh.cooper5 | Phone: +353 87 942 3371
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org or follow us on Twitter @WorldVision