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UNHCR calls for more aid for forcibly displaced in Afghanistan
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has appealed for much more support amid acute and rising humanitarian needs for 3.5 million people displaced by conflict inside Afghanistan – including 700,000 who were displaced in 2021.
In a statement released on Friday, UNHCR said that the forcibly displaced are facing a lack of insulated shelters, warm clothes, insufficient fuel for heating, and inadequate amounts of food and medical supplies as temperatures begin to plunge below freezing.
“The humanitarian crisis is escalating daily in Afghanistan. Hunger in the country has reached truly unprecedented levels. Nearly 23 million people – that’s 55 percent of the population – are facing extreme levels of hunger, and nearly 9 million of them are at risk of famine,” the statement read.
The organization emphasized that providing food supplies is an “immediate priority” to help avoid widespread starvation in the country.
“This year, UNHCR has assisted some 700,000 displaced people across the country the majority since mid-August. The race is on to reach more. Currently, we are able to reach nearly 60,000 people every week.”
“Further resources are urgently needed for the most vulnerable -single mothers with no shelter or food for their children, older persons who have been displaced are left to take care of orphaned grandchildren, and those taking care of loved ones with special needs.”
UNHCR has been bringing in relief supplies by road through Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and through humanitarian airlifts.
The organization noted that five more flights carrying UNHCR winter supplies from its global stockpiles in Amman are scheduled next week.
“UNHCR support will continue throughout the cold season until February 2022 to help forcibly displaced families cope with the extreme conditions. The response includes core relief items, such as thermal blankets and warm winter clothing. Shelters are being repaired and reinforced, while people are also being provided plastic sheeting and insulation materials to help weather-proof their shelters,” the statement said.
The organization added that vulnerable families are also being provided with cash assistance to meet additional needs during the coldest months, such as fuel for heating.
“Further support is urgently needed for UNHCR to continue delivering lifesaving aid this winter as we head into the coldest weeks of the season. UNHCR’s funding needs for the Afghanistan Situation in 2022 – including continued winter response – amount to US$374.9 million,” the statement concluded.
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Afghanistan’s de facto consulate in Mumbai starts issuing passports
Afghanistan’s de facto consulate in Mumbai started issuing Afghan passports on Monday, the Islamic Emirate’s representative in Delhi said in a post on X.
The unofficial consulate said passports will be issued by them “to meet the needs of Afghan citizens.”
This announcement comes amid reports by various Indian news outlets that Delhi is considering accepting an Islamic Emirate representative, named Ikramuddin Kamil, as official envoy to Mumbai.
According to reports, Kamil recently arrived in India on a regular passport and not a diplomatic one.
The Afghan ministry of foreign affairs meanwhile said that the decision to issue passports to Afghans in India comes on the back of a decree issued by the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
According to the ministry, it has directed the Mumbai office “to handle the process of distribution of passports to meet the needs of Afghan refugees, students and businessmen.”
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New Delhi considering Islamic Emirate’s request for envoy in India
The representative has already been selected and is currently working out of the Mumbai consulate. He does not however have a diplomatic passport.
The Indian government is considering accepting the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) request to officially post a diplomatic representative to the consulate in Mumbai.
Indian media reported Monday that the representative has already been selected and is currently working out of the Mumbai consulate. He does not however have a diplomatic passport, reports read.
According to the reports, the IEA’s representative is Ikramuddin Kamil, who previously studied in India.
If the request is accepted, the move would be a significant step towards formalizing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
No country has yet officially recognized the Islamic Emirate government but some regional countries have accepted Kabul diplomats.
A small “technical” team of Indian officials have meanwhile been working in Kabul for a few months.
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Malala Yousafzai calls for global support for women in Afghanistan
Malala Yousafzai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and an activist for the right to education for girls and women, says the international community should stand up for the rights of Afghan women.
Malala Yousafzai said in an interview with Sky News on Saturday that she has started efforts to support women's rights in Afghanistan in accordance with international laws.
Malala says that leaders need to work for the rights of Afghan girls and women.
However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, has repeatedly rejected claims about women’s rights being violated and has said their rights are ensured in accordance with Sharia law.
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