Islamabad, 12 January 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded the recent United Nations initiative of launching the largest-ever fundraising and aid request for Afghanistan.
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is confronting a grave humanitarian crisis, to which Imran Khan said he has remained consistent in bringing the international community’s attention.
He further added in his tweet that the UN’s step followed Pakistan’s initiative at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) session for the Foreign Ministers of the member states.
UN Fund Request
The organization and its partners on Tuesday appealed for $5 billion in aid for Afghanistan. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths stressed that $4.4 billion are required to be paid directly to the health workers.
He pointed out that this fund request is unique to date, being the largest ever for one single country. Furthermore, it was stated that if timely and swift action is not taken then the requirements might simply double the coming year, making things more complicated and difficult.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi asked for $623 million, for supporting refugees and the concerned communities that will host them in five neighboring countries. Read more here
Progress of OIC meeting in Pakistan Earlier
The OIC conference was held in Islamabad by the end of the previous year i.e on the 19th of December 2021. 30 Foreign Ministers were present and attended the meeting, that too on very short notice.
Not only that but representatives of Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France were also there. After the session, significant developments took place.
One of the most important outcomes was the United Nations Security Council’s passing of a resolution to provide assistance and help to war-torn Afghanistan.
Another notable outcome was the exemption on the US and UN officials in engaging in business with Taiban. These results were especially appreciated by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
