U.N. agencies warn of humanitarian crisis

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 24 Various agencies of the U.N. today warned that a humanitarian crisis of stunning proportions is unfolding in Afghanistan and urged the world community to be mindful of the principles of `humanitarian law' and take all measures to protect the civilian populations.

An unprecedented joint statement signed by heads of all the major agencies engaged in humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan said 20 years of brutal conflict, three years of severe drought, large-scale human rights abuses and significant population movements spurred most recently by the present geo- political crisis have left more than five million, the vast majority of them women and children, with a fragile grip on survival.

The onset of winter will loosen that grip even further. More than one million people have been displaced from their homes. Tens of thousands are on the move in search of safety and assistance, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and many others are unable to move.

Already, 3.8 million Afghans rely on World Food Programme (WFP) aid to survive. By November 1, the figure will touch 5.5 million. Nearly 20 per cent of those in need are children under the age of five, according to UNICEF. U.N. agencies and other aid organisations continue to operate camps for displaced people with the help of Afghan staff. But lack of international humanitarian access is hastening the deterioration of the situation. No additional food supplies can be delivered at the moment and WFP estimates that food reserves will be exhausted within two to three weeks.

``We urge a world wounded by the horrific and deplorable terrorist attacks of September 11 to be mindful of the principles of international humanitarian law and to take all measures to protect the civilian populations,'' they said.

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Section  : International
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