In the run-up to a donor conference, the UN called on the international community not to abandon Afghanistan. Without help, the country faced “catastrophic consequences”, warned UN Refugee Commissioner Filippo Grandi today.
The future of millions of Afghans depends on the outcome of the peace negotiations between the government and the radical Islamic Taliban and the commitment of the international community, Grandi said.
„Failure in either of the two areas would set Afghanistan back with catastrophic consequences,“ added the UN refugee commissioner. One consequence is refugee movements of „possibly large dimensions“.
Almost 300,000 people were displaced within the country this year, almost three million in previous years. Another nine million lost their livelihoods due to the coronavirus crisis, according to Grandi. They all needed „acute“ humanitarian assistance.
Donors conference in Geneva
A two-day international donor conference for Afghanistan begins today in Geneva under the leadership of the United Nations. The conference, organized by Finland and the Afghan government, aims to raise funds for supporting the peace process in the country on the Hindu Kush.
Increasing violence and the withdrawal of 2,000 more soldiers by January 15, announced by the outgoing US government, had recently overshadowed the peace negotiations currently underway in Doha.
Negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government began in the Qatari capital in September, but are making slow progress. Critics warn that a hasty withdrawal of US soldiers will strengthen the insurgents and reduce their willingness to negotiate.
