ISLAMABAD: New Zealand announced Friday that it is providing US$3 million in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to support crisis-affected communities in the country, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the amount will be provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency in Afghanistan.
“The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions in need of assistance and hundreds of thousands displaced by the recent conflict — 80 per cent of whom are reported to be women and girls,” said Mahuta.
“In Afghanistan, the Red Cross is currently focusing on protection of civilians and provision of essential services including emergency healthcare, water and sanitation,“ she added.
The UN Refugee Agency is providing a range of protection and assistance support to internally displaced Afghans. It is also supporting Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries.
“It is vital that humanitarian agencies are allowed access to affected populations,“ said Mahuta.
She called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect aid workers and civilians from harm, and support the right to freedom of movement.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan after capturing Kabul on Aug 15, forcing President Ashraf Ghani and other top government officials to leave the country.
The group, which was removed from power after United States-led foreign forces occupied Afghanistan in 2001, is now in the process of establishing a government.-Bernama
Source: The Sun Daily
