Bypassing curbs, factions, U.N. aid will reach Afghans

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 25 For the first time in two years, the U.N. has been able to reach food supplies to a section of the drought- affected people in the war-torn Afghanistan.

A triumphant Mr. Michal Semple, Regional Co-Ordinator of the U.N. for one of the regions in Afghanistan, told a news conference here today that the humanitarian assistance was possible with the co-operation of the warring factions in the Taliban and Islamic controlled areas.

``We believe that it is important that we should get sides to respect this priniciple. Humanitarian assistance in general and food in particular should not be used as a weapon. We seek the cooperation of all parties to the conflict in ensuring that our assistance reaches civilians in need.''

Mr. Semple said the situation in some areas was pathetic and there were instances of children dying of hunger. He said the U.N. drought relief operation, planned until June 2001, would continue to address the needs of the people in the region.

The latest study by the U.N. has said that the population of Afghanistan is highly vulnerable and has little capacity to cope with any further economic shocks. The report on the vulnerability and the humanitarian impact of the U.N. Security Council sanctions against Afghanistan is the result of a two-month field investigation that involved research and interviews with a number of Afghans.

The report said the UNSC sanctions imposed last year in an attempt to persuade the Taliban to hand over Osama Bin Laden have come on top of a devastating drought and large-scale population displacement. The coping capacity of the civilian population has been severely weakened as a result of the war and the erosion of many traditional coping mechanisms.

It said the majority of the population struggles to survive at near subsistence levels and many cannot meet their food and non- food needs. Almost all households without an able- bodied male are vulnerable and rely on food aid, children's work and begging to survive. The recent Taliban edit that restricts women's employment outside the home is expected to worsen this situation.

Sanctions have had both a direct and indirect impact on the population with the most significant direct impact on Ariana Airlines, the Afghan national carrier. The loss of the air route has meant that sales of fresh fruit are restricted to the low- price domestic market. Ariana's reduced income and the consequent loss in profitability may also have an impact on the safety of its domestic operations.

``Moreover, the sanctions have magnified the extent to which ordinary Afghans feel isolated and victimised. There is a widespread perception, and resultant bitterness, that the UNSC has set out to harm an innocent population and not the authorities with which it has a quarrel. Immediately after the imposition of the first round of UNSC sanctions, thousands of Afghans demonstrated against the U.N. in all major Afghan cities. Some agencies, including the U.N., evacuated their expatriate staff from specific locations,'' the report said.

It said while there was almost no support within Afghanistan for further economic sanctions, an overwhelming majority of those interviewed indicated that an arms embargo would command widespread support and moral authority.

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