UN seeks $600 million to avert Afghanistan humanitarian crisis

An abrupt end to billions of dollars in foreign donations has heaped more pressure on U.N. programmes.

Geneva: The United Nations is convening an aid conference in Geneva on Monday (september 13, 2021) in an effort to raise more than $600 million for Afghanistan, warning of a humanitarian crisis there following the Taliban takeover. Even before the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul last month, half the population - or 18 million people - was dependent on aid. That figure looks set to increase due to drought and shortages of cash and food, U.N. officials and aid groups warn. An abrupt end to billions of dollars in foreign donations following the collapse of Afghanistan`s Western-backed government and the ensuing victory of the Taliban has heaped more pressure on U.N. programmes.