Desk Report
Published: 13 Sep 2021, 10:22 pm
UN chief Antonio Guterres || Photo: Collected
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday urged countries to dig deep
and provide desperately needed aid to Afghans, and to support women and others
whose rights appear threatened by the Taliban.
Speaking to ministers gathered for a donor conference for the
violence-torn country, Guterres insisted that "the people of Afghanistan
need a lifeline".
"After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, they face
perhaps their most perilous hour," he said at the UN's European
headquarters in Geneva.
"Let us be clear: This conference is not simply about what
we will give to the people of Afghanistan. It is about what we owe."
The UN Secretary General's comments came just under a month
after the Taliban swept into power in Afghanistan, sparking a chaotic exit for
the United States and its allies after 20 years in the country.
The half-day conference is seeking to raise the $606 million
which humanitarian agencies say is urgently needed to provide life-saving aid
to millions of Afghans over the four final months of the year.
Among other things, the money is needed for critical food and
livelihood assistance for nearly 11 million people and essential health
services for 3.4 million.