The funding the UK government is mobilizing is aimed at food and medical care, but also basic services, improving access to health care and helping farmers weather the effects of drought.
London stressed that the money would be channeled through the United Nations and non-governmental organizations and would not pass directly through the hands of the Taliban regime.
The UK is co-organizing with the United Nations, Qatar and Germany on Thursday the donor conference, which will seek international support for humanitarian aid, the protection of girls and women and support for stability in the region.
The work is expected to be led by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
The United Nations wants to raise $4,400 million (€4,000 million), and estimates that around 10 million children across Afghanistan are in dire need of humanitarian assistance to survive.
The Foreign Secretary promised that “the UK will work to educate countries to support the Afghan people and help pave the way for life-saving food, shelter and medical supplies. Together with allies and partners, we can and will do more to help Afghanistan.” Liz Truss in a statement.
The UK had already committed 286 million pounds (340 million euros) in aid to Afghanistan in the 2021-22 financial year, double the amount initially planned.
Since the Taliban came to power last August, and with the expiration of international aid, which accounts for 75% of the Afghan budget, the country has plunged into a deep financial crisis, exacerbating an already disastrous humanitarian situation after four decades of conflict and recent drought. .
The head of the United Nations Development Program, Achim Steiner, warned on Tuesday that aid from the international community could be directed towards other humanitarian crises in the world if the Taliban delay in reopening girls’ secondary schools in the country. Afghanistan.
The international community has made the right to education for all an obstacle in negotiations for assistance and recognition of the Islamic fundamentalist regime.
