KABUL (SW) – Pierre Krahenbuhl, the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has stated that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains “critical” following a week-long visit to the country.
He stressed that improving the situation requires continued humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the ICRC added that Krahenbuhl’s visit involved assessing the humanitarian conditions and meeting with officials from the Islamic Emirate. He also visited the ICRC’s physical rehabilitation center in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital.
The statement reads: “The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains extremely dire; millions of people are in need of humanitarian support. This is the result of four decades of war, which has affected nearly every Afghan family.”
Officials at the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate, however, argue that while the reduction in global aid has impacted Afghanistan’s overall economy, the humanitarian situation is not as severe as described.
Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the ministry, said that, in addition to continued international humanitarian aid, investment in infrastructure and development projects is necessary to improve the economic situation.
Economic expert Omidullah Qasemzai believes that political changes, cuts in global aid, halting development projects, sanctions on the banking system, and the freezing of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves have contributed to the rise in poverty and the humanitarian crisis.
He added: “Investment is needed in agriculture, mining, and infrastructure sectors to improve the situation.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, echoing earlier statements by the United Nations, which reported that over 23 million people in Afghanistan are in need of humanitarian assistance.
