Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Australia has stepped forward to provide much-needed assistance. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that Australia is contributing $5.1mn in humanitarian aid to support the people of Afghanistan, Daryo correspondent in Afghanistan reported.
OCHA revealed that Australia's generous contribution will be channeled into the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. This fund aims to provide crucial relief and support to the Afghan population, which has been grappling with escalating challenges, including poverty and unemployment.
Australia's commitment to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund demonstrates its dedication to alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people during these trying times. The Australian government has previously sent approximately AUD $69mn ($44.3mn) to the fund since its establishment.
The urgency of this aid is underscored by the latest report from UN OCHA, which highlights the need for $570.7mn to supply essential winter necessities to those in need across Afghanistan. As per OCHA's statistics, an astounding 29.2 mn people in Afghanistan are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, with 21.3 mn people enrolled in relief programs.
While the requirement for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan for this year stands at $3.23bn, as of August, only approximately $1bn has been provided. This leaves a substantial shortfall of $2.43bn in the budget, emphasizing the pressing need for international support.
The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has also sounded the alarm, identifying Afghanistan as one of the ten nations where nearly 2 mn people are suffering from severe food insecurity. Shockingly, at least 41 mn people in Afghanistan are facing severe acute food insecurity at an alarming level.
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by the country's heavy dependence on Western donor support, which was abruptly cut off following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. This sudden loss of assistance triggered a rapid economic collapse, forcing self-sufficient Afghans to rely on humanitarian aid for their basic survival needs.
Australia's $5.1mn contribution to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund is a significant step toward addressing the dire situation in Afghanistan. It reflects the international community's commitment to supporting the Afghan people and providing essential relief during this challenging period.
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