From the Website of United Nations
links: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/12/1108642
Security Council paves way for aid to reach desperate Afghans
The Security Council on
Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution clearing the way for aid to
reach Afghans in desperate need of basic support, while preventing funds
from falling into the hands of the Taliban, a move welcomed by the UN
Emergency Relief Coordinator as a “milestone” decision that will save
lives
Martin Griffiths, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, described
the Council’s passage of resolution 2615 (2021), tabled by the United
States, as “evidence of how seriously Member States take the shocking
levels of need and suffering in the country.”
Humanitarian exemption
In
passing the text, the Council carved out an exemption for humanitarian
assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from
sanctions imposed under resolutions 2255 (2015) and 1988 (2011),
concerning individuals and entities associated with the Taliban in
constituting a threat to peace, stability and security.
Key
provisions allow for the processing and payment of funds, other
financial assets or economic resources, and the provision of goods and
services necessary to ensure the timely delivery of assistance.
The
Council strongly encouraged providers to use “reasonable efforts” to
minimize the accrual of any benefits – whether as a result of direct
provision or diversion – to entities or individuals designated on the
sanctions list established by resolution 1988 (2011)
Significantly,
it requested the Emergency Relief Coordinator to brief its members
every six months and agreed to review implementation of the resolution
in a year’s time.
“This
humanitarian exception will allow organizations to implement the work
we have planned,” Mr. Griffiths stressed, and “give legal assurances to
the financial institutions and commercial actors we rely on to engage
with humanitarian operators.”
The adoption follows months of discussions
in the Council and broader international community about how to stave
off economic collapse in Afghanistan following the country’s takeover by
the Taliban, considered de-facto authorities, in August and subsequent
freezing by Western countries of billions of dollars used by the
previous Government to ensure the provision of basic services.
Humanitarian operations next year
According
to Mr. Griffiths, humanitarian operations in Afghanistan are set to be
the largest anywhere in the world in 2022, reaching some 22 million
people.
Some
160 national and international organizations are providing critical
food and health assistance, as well as education, water and sanitation,
and support to agriculture. “We urgently need to ramp up this work,” he
stressed.
He
said the impact of lifesaving UN aid depends on cooperation by the de
facto authorities and on the flexibility of the funding received. “We
must all do everything we can to preserve the life, dignity and future
of all Afghans.”
A bleak economic picture
According to the UNDP Socio-economic Outlook for
Afghanistan, the country ended 2020 with “significant” economic and
development challenges. International partners pledged $13 billion in
November 2020 over the following four years.
However, the political change on 15 August 2021 ushered in new conditions. The international community’s non-recognition of the Taliban, coupled with uncertainty arising from the divergence between official announcements and actions on the ground, led to a sudden pause in international aid, and the freezing of Afghan reserves held abroad.
“The drop in foreign aid that previously accounted for 40 per cent of gross domestic product, has had an immediate and significant impact on the economy,” UNDP stated.
The report’s estimate that $2 billion will now be needed to lift the incomes of all poor people up to the poverty line is “indicative of the relief required to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe of an unprecedented scale
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