Latest News
OCHA chief warns that only 6% of budget for this year’s aid is funded
Indrika Ratwatte, the UN’s Special Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs and head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for Afghanistan has expressed deep concern about the support and funding of Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs as currently only six percent of the required budget for 2024 has been funded.
In a report released this week, Ratwatte highlighted the complex geo-political context and Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters and emphasized the importance of swift humanitarian responses, something which can only occur with sufficient financial resources.
“In my capacity as Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), I will clearly communicate the pressing humanitarian needs within Afghanistan, as articulated in the Humanitarian Needs Response Plan (HNRP),” he said.
“A key objective is to ensure adequate resources for this plan and to support the implementation of humanitarian programs by collaborating with all UN agencies and implementing partners,” he added.
Ratwatte also expressed deep concern over current funding levels, noting that the 2024 HNRP is only six percent funded with just US$290 million secured of US$3.06 billion needed.
Such a significant gap between existing needs and available funding will severely impede the delivery of life-saving assistance, he said.
Ratwatte has in turn appealed to the international community to redouble their commitment to the Afghan people by stepping up their financial support.
Three foreign nationals and one Afghan were killed when gunmen opened fire in Afghanistan’s central Bamyan province on Friday, the Interior Ministry said.
Abdulmatin Qane, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, said that three Afghans and four foreigners were injured in the shooting.
He added that four people were arrested in connection with the incident.
Qani did not specify which country the foreigners belonged to.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Latest News
China and Pakistan call for inclusive ‘political framework’ and ‘moderate policies’ in Afghanistan
According to the statement, Wang and Dar called for concerted efforts from the international community to help Afghanistan address challenges in areas such as the humanitarian situation and economic development.
“The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghanistan issue,” the statement read.
“They called for concerted efforts of the international community to help Afghanistan properly address challenges in such areas as the humanitarian situation and economic development, and encourage Afghanistan to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, pursue good-neighborliness, and firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts.
“Both sides agreed to play a positive and constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community,” the statement read.
Negotiations are ongoing between Afghanistan and Iran to sideline the US dollar in bilateral transactions, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) said this week.
According to media reports, Mohsen Karimi, the head of the CBI, said talks are ongoing between the two countries for the implementation of “offshore rial” in Afghanistan.
Karimi said the “offshore rial” is used with the aim of supporting the economic activity and exporters of the private sector of the country.
Recently, CBI Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin announced that Tehran plans to use the “offshore rial” for trade with Russia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also said at the time that the idea of ditching the US dollar has produced positive results.
Gunmen kill three foreigners in Bamyan
T20 World Cup warm-up match schedule released, Afghanistan to face Oman and Scotland
Acting commerce minister meets Russian deputy PM
China and Pakistan call for inclusive ‘political framework’ and ‘moderate policies’ in Afghanistan
Talks underway to ditch the US dollar in Afghan-Iran transactions
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
Afghanistan announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rashid Khan named AWCC’s brand ambassador
Balkh health officials report sharp increase in number of cancer patients
Tahawol: Deputy PM’s meeting with Chinese ambassador discussed
Saar: Regional consensus on Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: China’s ambassador meeting with deputy PM discussed
Saar: USIP’s report on Daesh threats discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan losing UN voting rights discussed
-
Latest News5 days agoBaghlan floods leave 315 dead and over 15,00 injured so far
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan can become important industrial center in region: Hanafi
-
World5 days agoBrazil floods kill 143, government announces emergency spending
-
Latest News4 days agoMinister of Hajj meets with Turkish President Erdoğan
-
Regional4 days agoIsraeli forces step up attacks on Jabalia camp and Rafah in Gaza
-
Latest News4 days agoUS partners in Afghanistan mobilizing emergency aid for flood victims: Thomas West
-
Sport4 days agoTeam unity, newfound aggression key to RCB’s dramatic IPL turnaround
-
Climate Change2 days agoSummer 2023 was the hottest in 2,000 years, study says