By: Abantika Kumari
As unemployment and poverty grip Afghan families, economists have warned that the country could face a catastrophic economic disaster if prompt action is not done to address the problem.According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Humanitarian Food Assistance to Afghanistan will drop from 38% to 8%.
We urgently call on the international community to use an effective and practical way of ensuring financial aid and supplies can be transferred to Afghans. Millions of Afghans could suffer disaster if humanitarian aid is not supplied properly and timely, according to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). In Afghanistan, millions of people are facing a food shortage. Malnutrition affects 3.1 million children worldwide. The country is in the midst of a horrific humanitarian crisis. Afghanistan’s economy is completely reliant on foreign assistance. Foreign aid accounts about 40% of the country’s GDP.
Foreign aid to Afghanistan has almost completely stopped since the Taliban took control of the country in early August. Prior to the Taliban’s ascension to power, international assistance – including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, foreign governments, and humanitarian organizations – accounted for about 75% of Afghanistan’s public expenditure budget, putting the country on the verge of collapse.
In a crisis that has worsened substantially since the United States withdrew in August, ending two decades of military presence, an estimated 19 million Afghans — roughly half the population — are facing serious food insecurity.
In Afghanistan, hunger and food insecurity have reached critical levels. According to the World Food Program, about 20 million people, or roughly half of the country’s population, are food insecure. Drought conditions, the pandemic, and the Taliban’s decision to cut all foreign help have left the country in desperate difficulties. The conflict in Ukraine is putting a strain on global food aid and driving up costs. International charity workers warn that millions of Afghans are on the verge of hunger, with at least a million children at risk of death.
Several countries, groups are striving to provide support, aid, and food in the country. International communitymust ensure prompt help them by donating.
The healthcare sector has been impacted especially hard, with $600 million in international healthcare aid currently suspended.The economic collapse that has been unfolding since August 2021 has increased humanitarian needs while also making relief response difficult. We observe the negative impact on disadvantaged populations firsthand. Many families are unable to eat because they cannot afford essential health and education costs.
Humanitarian money is critical, and we want donors to go above and beyond to help Afghans.Furthermore, we must see the international community make concrete policy commitments to assist in addressing the economic fundamental causes of the humanitarian catastrophe and stabilizing the economy. Donors must continue to fund temporary measures to ensure humanitarians have access to cash in the country until the economy recovers. Finally, donors must step up and ensure that Afghanistan’s needs are met. A little but great example can be drawn in this regard. A tiny South Asian country has established an unprecedented example in this regard.
The Bangladesh government has decided on May 22 to donate Bangladeshi Tk1 crore (0.11 million USD) in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, which is facing a number of challenges, including a severe food shortage.According recent media reports, the donation would be distributed to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) budget. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has taken the appropriate steps to transmit the money to the UN OCHA with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s assent and direction.
Although the amount of relief supplied by Bangladesh is tiny in comparison to the required funds, their rapid response is commendable.Their imitative is great. Qualitative approach is higher than quantitative approach in this regard. Right now, the world needs to work with Afghanistan to save millions of people who are dying of starvation and poverty.
This time, Bangladesh, an overpopulated South Asian country, has taken the initiative to help Afghanistan. Bangladesh, a South Asian country, displays bravery by providing financial assistance to Afghanistan. Despite its many shortcomings, Bangladesh sets an excellent humanitarian example. Bangladesh’s imprint can be followed by the world (international society). If such support (little or large) can be provided, it will undoubtedly assist Afghans in overcoming the disaster.
This donation demonstrates South Asia’s integrated growth and policy of cooperation with all,it also reflects Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regional fraternity.
The grant will be sent to a special fund set up by the UNOCHA for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan by Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. The grant application process is currently underway.The UNOCHA will use this money to help Afghanistan’s most vulnerable citizens.
Media reports say, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinawajed’s objective of regional brotherhood, integrated development of South Asia, and cooperation with all is reflected in the donation.Bangladesh’s international image is expected to improve as a result of the grant provided by the government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has already established itself as a donor country!
Bangladesh’s assurance of assistance: The member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) agreed to initiate urgent aid for this worst-affected country at their 17th meeting in 2021.
Bangladesh, one of the organization’s most prominent members, quickly announced that it will provide food and medical assistance in response to the resolution. Many people, both nationally and internationally, praised Bangladesh’s fast response from a humanitarian standpoint.
Although Bangladesh does not have official relations with Afghanistan, it donates to the country on humanitarian grounds. Bangladesh can teach the rest of the world. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is a global issue. In this case, foreign politics should be avoided. As Bangladesh does, the international community must give humanitarian relief. The issue should not be whether or not to recognize the Taliban; rather, it should be how quickly humanitarian relief is delivered to Afghanistan to avert a humanitarian crisis.
However, Afghanistan should useeconomic diplomacy to expand aid. The international community and international organizations must fulfill their humanitarian obligations to Afghanistan.
According to economists, various countries throughout the world are affected by the continuing Ukraine-Russia conflict, raising the issue of food security. This issue has struck developing countries the hardest, such as Afghanistan.If the situation continues like this, there is a risk of humanitarian catastrophe,” and advised the Afghan government take fast action to address the issues.
In this case, Bangladesh example can be a dream light for the world community. Every country, every international community should do something as per their capability as Bangladesh shows it.
(The writer is an Assistant Professor at the History Department of Allahabad College, Uttar Pradesh, India. She is also a researcher particularly focused on South Asia. She can be contacted at [email protected])
World must follow ‘Bangladesh’s footprint of providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan’
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