by Brayden Yee
Afghanistan is facing a massive humanitarian crisis that threatens the lives of over 39 million Afghans, 23 million of whom are nearing the brink of starvation.
Since the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and the subsequent takeover by the Taliban, billions of foreign aid has frozen, and US sanctions have crippled the country’s economy.
For months, millions of workers have gone without steady pay while food prices have skyrocketed. Many mothers and children have gone to hospital malnutrition wards, which are short on medical supplies due to limited aid.
Afghanistan is also facing a harsh drought and winter and is expecting 25% less harvest on wheat this year. UNICEF warns that under these conditions, one million children could die from severe malnutrition. The failing economy and living conditions are also potential breeding grounds for extremism and dissent for the US, which is complicit in withholding resources.
Since leaving Afghanistan four months ago, the US has frozen $7 billion in foreign reserves from Afghanistan and has been pressured to cut rules to aid the current crisis.
United Nations (UN) Chief Antonia Guterres has urged that immediate action needs to be taken to prevent more death and suffering. He stated that the rules preventing aid must be halted for the current crisis. Guterres also warns that without quick aid being brought to Afghanistan’s economy, a meltdown will occur, leading to poverty and hunger for millions.
The UN launched a $5 billion funding appeal on Jan 11, hoping to support Afghans through the winter and get their economy back on track.
Photo from Getty Images
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