During a United Nations Security Council High-level open debate, representatives from various countries strongly advocated for providing aid to Afghanistan, where a severe humanitarian crisis has unfolded. The Khamma News Agency reported that representatives from countries including Russia, the UK, Pakistan, India, Qatar, and Switzerland voiced concern over the growing number of people in need of assistance. The UK ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, highlighted the importance of the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which emphasizes the revival of multilateral collaboration and the inclusion of women, particularly those in Afghanistan.
She pointed out the dire situation faced by Afghan women who are forced to make unimaginable choices, such as selling their children or going hungry, and called for prioritizing their participation in peace initiatives. Meanwhile, the Russian representative took the opportunity to blame the United States and its allies for exacerbating the food crises in Afghanistan. According to The Khaama News Agency, Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the UN, argued that the country’s struggle with hunger and poverty was a result of the US-led coalition’s attempts to impose Western-style democracy on a deeply traditional society.
The crisis’s magnitude was further revealed by Pakistan’s Deputy permanent representative to the UN, Aamir Khan. He highlighted that out of the 258 million people facing food insecurity globally, 117 million reside in 19 war and conflict zones, with 15.3 million Afghans expected to experience severe food insecurity. In response to the dire situation, Khan assured the international community that Pakistan would continue to support the 29 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance and contribute to the revival of Afghanistan’s economy. On the ground in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s strict policies have worsened the humanitarian situation, particularly impacting women.
According to The Khaama News Agency’s publication, the group recently banned women’s beauty salons, leaving more than 60,000 female employees, who were vital supporters of their families, without jobs. As the crisis continues to unfold, the international community faces the urgent task of providing essential aid and support to Afghanistan to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by conflict, food insecurity, and restrictive policies. The UN Security Council’s high-level open debate has shed light on the severity of the situation and the pressing need for immediate action.