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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.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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