United Nations: Afghanistan is still suffering from a staggering humanitarian crisis, and isolation is not the solution

This came in a briefing by UN officials before a Security Council meeting held today, Thursday, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Otunbayeva said: “Nearly 1,200 days have passed without girls receiving formal education beyond the sixth grade, with women and girls facing gradual erasure from almost all aspects of life.”.

She noted that in early December, the de facto authorities announced that female students would be banned from attending medical institutes and higher education classes, warning that if this order was implemented it would have dire consequences for women and girls in particular, but also for men, boys and communities. The entire country and the country as a whole, by depriving Afghans of an effective health care system open to all. She said she strongly urged the de facto authorities to reconsider this matter.

She also spoke about the implementation of the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice by the de facto authorities, noting that the law affected… “Women’s already restricted freedom of movement and access to public services”.

She added that there has been a marked expansion in law enforcement inspectors’ enforcement of requirements related to men’s beards and Western-style haircuts through visits to mosques and other public places to provide advice on the requirements of the law, arresting barbers and men identified as having shaved their beards and forcing barber shops to close.

Participation, not isolation

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan explained that some progress had been made in finding ways to hold constructive discussions. She noted that they are consistent in their approach, “Which is to demonstrate the benefits that accrue to the Afghan people from reintegrating their country into the international community.”.

She noted that the Mission’s human rights team held constructive discussions with de facto authorities on broader issues related to human rights standards and norms.

She stressed the importance of participation, not isolation, noting that: “Engagement is not normalization or recognition. It is a way to communicate consistently about the benefits of returning to the international order. It is a way to prevent Afghanistan’s isolation – or worse – a return to conflict.”.

She cautioned that it appears that pressures and condemnations are not working, and if they are implemented without progressive, principled involvement, this will lead to the isolation of Afghanistan.

She said: “Isolation is not the answer, and we must continue to engage to build confidence on behalf of the Afghan people. We must be patient and pragmatic, while remaining strong and steadfast in our principles. But above all, we must be resolute in our support for the Afghan people.”.

A fragile economy and extreme poverty

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher said “Half the population needs support, making Afghanistan the second largest humanitarian crisis in the world, after Sudan.”.

Fletcher explained that the economy in Afghanistan is very fragile and nearly half of the population lives in extreme poverty, adding that one in three Afghans suffer from food insecurity.

Regarding the decision to prevent female students from enrolling in public and private medical institutes, Fletcher explained that the decision “It would prevent more than 36,000 midwives and 2,800 nurses from entering the workforce in the next few years, and could dramatically increase prenatal, neonatal and maternal mortality rates.”.

Three requests

The UN official said that in 2024, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners provided life-saving support to about 18 million people across the country, including 5.1 million women and 8.3 million children.

He added: “This is an impressive achievement considering the challenges. Despite these challenges, a lack of funding for humanitarian support has led to the closure of hundreds of medical centers this year, depriving three million Afghans of healthcare.”.

He praised the undeniable role Security Council Resolution No. 2615He pointed out that the decision has facilitated, since August 15, 2021, the provision of about 6.7 billion US dollars in humanitarian aid and 3.2 billion US dollars to meet basic humanitarian needs.

Fletcher made three requests to the council; The first is to increase funding for humanitarian operations, where $2.4 billion will be needed in 2025.

He also called for international support to reduce interference in aid and restrictive measures, especially those imposed on women, and for investment and support for Afghans beyond humanitarian aid – in agriculture, health care and other vital basic services.

The UN official urged to continue supporting the Afghans “Within the framework of international solidarity and humanity”.