Kabul, 15 August 2022 (TDI): Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei calls on the international community and appeals to help support the agency’s work.
This is so the world provides conflict and disaster-affected children with access to water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health, and protection services.
I call on the international community to give children in Afghanistan a chance to come through this crisis.
They need our support for safe water and sanitation, nutrition, health services, social protection, and education: https://t.co/1LGvTCmaK5
— George Laryea-Adjei (@G_LaryeaAdjei) August 14, 2022
As per UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), the total amount needed for UNICEF’s HAC (Humanitarian Action for Children) appeal in 2022 is US$9.4 billion.
Additionally, it marks UNICEF’s largest-ever appeal to help more than 300 million vulnerable children around the world, as well as their families and caregivers.
Appeal Highlights
The most recent political and socioeconomic changes in Afghanistan have significantly deteriorated the humanitarian situation. An already vulnerable population’s demands are being exacerbated by the impending collapse of essential services.
Moreover, more than half of the population, 24.4 million, need humanitarian assistance, including 12.9 million children.
In addition, there are numerous ongoing illness outbreaks, including measles, acute watery diarrhea, dengue, and COVID-19.
According to UNICEF’s report, in 2022, 8.7 million people will be in emergency level food insecurity and 1 in 2 children under 5 years will be acutely malnourished.
Although the full effects of the political transition have not yet been felt, significant socioeconomic shocks are anticipated to impact children’s survival.
Furthermore, the needs of vulnerable Afghan children and their families are unprecedented. UNICEF will act in response by prioritizing actions that save lives and upholding the humanitarian imperative.
Also, the immediate scaling up of WASH, health, nutrition, education, and child protection services will be made possible by avoiding the breakdown of vital systems and preserving hard-won victories, such as defending the rights of women and girls.
UNICEF has appealed that, US $2 billion is urgently needed to meet the humanitarian needs of 15.3 million people in Afghanistan. However, only 40 percent of the appeal has been financed yet.
Response of the Regional Director
Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei stated that poverty’s extent has been devastating. 90% of the population of the nation is currently on the verge of poverty, and the very young are struggling to survive.
Also read: JICA and FAO collaborate in Afghanistan
I’ve seen firsthand the pain in the eyes of mothers as they bring their malnourished babies to health facilities.
Over 3M are at risk of acute malnutrition. To prevent the health system from collapsing, we support health facilities, health workers & treatment of malnutrition. pic.twitter.com/zFRIHb10nS
— George Laryea-Adjei (@G_LaryeaAdjei) August 14, 2022
Consequently, UNICEF has distributed cash transfers to 1 million people to buy nutritious food, medicines, clothing, and school supplies for children.
Furthermore, he indicated that 1 million girls in Afghanistan have been denied an education and the demand for it is at an all-time high.
My colleagues in @UNICEFAfg have stepped up to the challenge like never before.
Yet our appeal for Afghanistan – our biggest single country appeal ever – remains only 40% funded. We need more. The very future of our children is at stake. pic.twitter.com/0aHAy4jH3p
— George Laryea-Adjei (@G_LaryeaAdjei) August 14, 2022
Lastly, he added that “I saw great work happening in the community-based classes during my last visit. Girls were learning how to read, write & do the math. We’ve established 10,000 such classes in one year.”
