The United Nations has warned against reduction of international aid to Afghanistan, as the world struggles with the Quaid 19 epidemic.

Addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council, Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and OIC UNAMA, Ms. Ingrid Hayden said that seriousness of the situation is underlined by the US decision on 23 March to immediately reduce assistance by 1bn USD for 2020 and their preparedness to do the same again the year after.

“Given the state’s heavy reliance on donor funding, this could have severe consequences for Afghanistan’s fiscal viability, as well as for socio-economic outcomes in the country. Now, with the onslaught of COVID-19, many donors are likely to turn inwards to meet the needs of their own population. Afghanistan needs to demonstrate a compelling case for the continued investment of international resources,” she said.

She stated that UNAMA is urging all Afghan parties to work together to resolve their differences peacefully for the good of the people of Afghanistan. “Now is not the time for divisions. Now is the time for statesmanship, accommodation and inclusivity. The interests of Afghans must come first – including the rights of all women, minorities and youth,” she added.

“All sides are urged to take concrete steps to make the prospect of Intra-Afghan negotiations a reality. Having announced its negotiating team, the Islamic Republic has the weighty task of equipping its negotiators with the necessary skills to help frame its agenda, and the necessary principles to secure and advance the rights of its citizens. It is also incumbent on the Taliban to demonstrate that they are ready to enter into good-faith negotiations with the Islamic Republic with a view to achieving a lasting settlement to the conflict,” she went on to say.

In regard to prisoner release, she said: “Recent weeks have also seen developments on prisoner releases, which, if carefully managed, could form an important confidence-building measure to start the peace process. Despite the very real logistical challenges imposed by COVID-19, representatives of the Government of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban have now held three video teleconferences to discuss prisoner releases. UNAMA welcomes this engagement and urges the parties to resolve the prisoner release issue swiftly in accordance with international law.”

Pointing to an increase in the level of violence in Afghanistan, she further added: “The signing of the agreement between the United States and the Taliban on 29 February was a landmark moment in the Afghan conflict. The agreement provided for the conditions based full withdrawal of international military forces from Afghanistan, and the first tranche of this withdrawal is underway. For their part, the Taliban appear to be adhering to their commitment to reduce violence against international military forces. However, the last few weeks have seen conflict-related violence in Afghanistan surge again to previous levels, driven mainly by Taliban attacks against the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.”

She later voiced concerns about activities of ISIL and added: “We are also deeply concerned about the ongoing threat to civilians posed by the Islamic State-Khorasan Province. This was again demonstrated by the inhumane attack on 6 March at a commemoration for a Hazara leader in Kabul, which killed 34 civilians and injured scores more. We were also outraged by the attack claimed by the group on worshippers at a Sikh-Hindu temple in Kabul on 25 March, which killed and injured dozens of civilians. These barbaric attacks against Afghan civilians must stop.”

About the COVID-19 outbreak, she stated: “The risks to Afghanistan posed by the threat of COVID-19 are extreme. The deadly effects of the virus are of particular concern given Afghanistan’s fragile health system and highly vulnerable population. This includes high numbers of Afghans suffering from malnutrition, living in close proximity to one another, including internally displaced persons, prisoners and detainees in the overcrowded penitentiary system. As well as those with specific needs, including physical disability and mental health issues. A particular challenge in Afghanistan is women’s access to medical care, which is complicated by the prevailing security situation and entrenched cultural norms.”

Arezo News – Humayun Salimi