United Nations, Sep 22: A United Nations official has warned that immediate risks facing Afghanistan can seriously jeopardise progress and derail aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous country.
Addressing mediapersons at the UN Headquarters, in New York, Toby Lanzer, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, ‘The country is undergoing a terrible drought, the worst in many, many years and now over 5.5 million people are in in need of emergency relief.’
Mr Lanzer noted that in the past few weeks alone, more than a quarter million people have been fleeing their homes, a United Nations statement said.
Afghanistan also saw the killings of 13 journalists on the job – the highest number in the world, 23 aid workers lost their lives, 37 were badly injured and 74 abducted, he added
Serious shortfall in funds for relief work is alarming, Mr Lanzer said, urging the international donor community for immediate resources.
He warned that if short-term emergency relief requirements are not met, the development gains that have been achieved over the past years … could be lost.
However, he highlighted major achievements in the country, including economic progress for the third year in a row as well as upcoming parliamentary elections in October and presidential elections in April next year.
UNI.
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