New York, 6 February 2022 (TDI): The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres was present at the meeting of the Security Council; on the situation of Afghanistan, on 26 January.
Guterres first addressed the President and the other representatives of the Security Council. He then mentioned that already six months passed since the Taliban takeover and that Afghanistan is hanging by a thread.
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN
Guterres remarked that life for Afghans has become a frozen hell; because they are in the grips of a brutal winter. Due to that, the families huddle in tents under plastic sheets, and some of them burn their possessions to keep themselves warm.
The health clinics are overcrowded, and most of them don’t have enough resources; the power generators are running out due to the dramatic increase in fuel prices. Then he added that it is not only COVID-19 that the Afghans have to deal with; but by deadly preventable diseases like measles, diarrhea, and even polio.
The crisis that the Afghans face also extends to the education system, and the social system; as both are on the brink of collapse. Currently, regarding education, millions of children, are out of school, and millions of teachers have yet to receive their salaries.
HUNGER, CONTAMINATED WATER, AND INTERNATIONAL DISTRUST
Guterres also mentioned that over half of the population faces extreme levels of hunger and it is due to the worst drought in two decades. That drought pushed nine million people closer to famine. The Secretary-General also remarked that some families are selling their babies to purchase food.
The population also deals with the contaminated drinking water problem, which is the source of more than 80% of the population. Guterres also spoke about the situation of the Afghan economy, and the danger of the imminent collapse of the currency.
According to Guterres, without immediate action, there is a danger that the currency might go into freefall; and the country could lose 30% of its GDP within the year. The country doesn’t have liquidity due to the sanctions and international mistrust in the de-facto government.
Furthermore, due to that distrust, the global banking system has frozen nearly $9 billion in central bank assets. That is why vital systems need funds desperately, and that lack of liquidity is limiting the capacity to reach Afghans in need.
HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION LOSE GROUND
Human rights are losing ground in the territory because women and girls are once again being shut out of offices and classrooms. Guterres remarked that they lost their countries overnight, all the achievements disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The Secretary-General also expressed his concerns about the recent reports of arbitrary arrests and abductions of women activists; while appealing for their immediate release. He then added that terrorism remains a constant threat; not only to the security of Afghanistan but to the entire world.
UN HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
According to Guterres, the complexity of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was the reason for the UN to launch the appeal. That appeal was the largest in the UN’s history for a single country, more than $4.4 billion for this year.
Furthermore, among the activities that the UN agencies carry out in Afghanistan; we find health, shelter, nutrition, protection, and emergency education. Another example is the cash transfers to help the families.
Guterres remarked that the efforts of the different agencies and their partners reached 18 million people across the country in 2021. He also mentioned that the UN teams are working at a scaled-up capacity to reach even more people this year; and keep the country’s food, health, and education systems from collapsing.
In his statement, Guterres also mentioned that the appeal included vital support for refugee-hosting countries. He thanked Pakistan and Iran for their constant efforts and for hosting millions of Afghans in need.
CALL OF SECRETARY-GENERAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Furthermore, Guterres stressed the need for the community and the council to provide resources and prevent Afghanistan from spiraling any further. The Secretary-General stressed the need to scale up humanitarian operations to save lives.
He also called the Council to suspend the rules and conditions that constrict not only Afghanistan’s economy but lifesaving operations. Guterres mentioned that those rules should undergo revisions, and international funding should be able to pay the salaries of public-sector workers.
According to Guterres, all public-sector workers are vital to keeping systems up and running. By paying them their salaries, they have a reason to stay in the country. Furthermore, he welcomed the Council’s adoption of a humanitarian exemption to the United Nations sanctions regime for Afghanistan.
The Secretary-General also mentioned the necessity of giving financial institutions and commercial partners the legal assurance that they can work with humanitarian operators without fear of breaching sanctions.
ONE-UN TRANSITIONAL ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Guterres announced the One-UN Transitional Engagement Framework for Afghanistan. It is a plan to extend and accelerate humanitarian and development support to the Afghan people; while sustaining and strengthening essential services and systems throughout this critical period of transition.
The plan includes recommendations for a new mandate for the UN’s Special Political Mission in Afghanistan to support security, progress, and human rights, contained in my upcoming report.
He then recommended jump-start Afghanistan’s economy through increased liquidity, to pull the economy back from the brink. The World Bank’s reconstruction trust fund for Afghanistan transferred $280 million to UNICEF and the World Food Programme last month.
Guterres mentioned that the UN needs the remaining $1.2 billion to be freed up urgently, to help Afghanistan’s people survive the winter. He warned that without action despair and extremism will grow; lives will be lost, and a massive exodus of people fleeing Afghanistan.
Third, Guterres mentioned that the Taliban can expand opportunity and security for its people, and demonstrate a real commitment to be a part of the global community. According to Guterres, the window for trust-building is open, but international trust must be earned.
Another important aspect he mentioned is to guarantee unfettered humanitarian access to all regions; as the aid workers on the ground are implementing and supporting existing programs.
CALL FOR INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT AND IMPROVE SECURITY
Guterres included in his statement the necessity of building inclusive government institutions in which all Afghans feel represented. Also equally important to promote security and fight against terrorism.
Guterres also warned that without actions, illicit drug flows, and criminal and terrorist networks, will increase; more Afghans will flee their homes in search of a better life. Guterres made a plea to the Taliban to recognize and protect the fundamental human rights that every person shares; including women and girls.
GUTERRES FINAL STATEMENTS
Finally, Guterres mentioned that for decades, even centuries; Afghanistan has been unfairly used as a platform for political agendas, geopolitical advantage, ideological dominance, and brutal conflicts and terrorism.
Because it is a matter of moral responsibility, regional and global security, and prosperity, the international community cannot abandon the Afghans. This is because they need peace, hope, help, and they need it now.
