UN: Severe budget cuts hamper aid delivery in Afghanistan

Jumhuri Mudara: Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said that the United Nations and its affiliated institutions are facing a severe shortage of financial resources for Afghanistan.

 According to international aid organizations, millions of people in the country are still in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

 Speaking at a press conference on Monday, he  said that about 23 million Afghan citizens are still in need of global humanitarian support.

Dujarric also referred to the visit of UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher to Afghanistan.

 In a meeting with Taliban officials, Tom Fletcher emphasized the importance of girls' education and women's active participation in social development, warning that without women's participation, development and progress are not possible.

Dujarric also said Fletcher had discussed with Taliban officials the implications of budget cuts on aid operations in Afghanistan, the need to facilitate administrative processes, the vital role of women in humanitarian affairs, and the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

The UN's concern over the decline in funding comes as the United States has suspended aid to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan over concerns about the Taliban's abuse.