The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News | UNHCR , WHO
UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing Afghanistan Update UNHCR - WHO 20 August 2021
Aid access to Afghanistan holding amid uncertainty and fear: UN agencies
UN humanitarian agencies and their partners still have access to people in need across Afghanistan, they indicated on Friday, despite the prevailing “sense of fear” felt by many.
Speaking in Geneva, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) Shabia Mantoo, said that widespread fighting had diminished since the takeover of the Taliban last Sunday, but that concerns remained for the safety of women and girls.
Highlighting video footage taken earlier this week showing crowds outside Kabul airport and men clinging in desperation to departing airplanes on the runway, Ms. Shaboo warned that the people of Afghanistan who could not get away should not be forgotten.
“UNHCR remains concerned about the risk of human rights violations against civilians in this evolving context, including for women and girls,” she said. “As of today, those who may be in danger have no way out. UNHCR is calling on countries neighbouring Afghanistan to keep their borders open in light of the evolving crisis in Afghanistan.”
Addressing questions about humanitarian aid access constraints, the UNHCR official explained that around 200 national and international staff “remain on the ground” in Afghanistan. They have continued to work with 18 local non-government partners and have around 900 staff throughout the country.
“At present, we are able to access all provinces, and are working in some two-thirds of all districts,” Ms. Mantoo said.
“Together with the wider UN country team, we are committed to staying and delivering aid to the Afghan people for as long as we have access to populations in need and can ensure safety for our staff.”
The UN agency was not involved in State-led evacuation operations which although welcome, did not address the plight of many millions of Afghans.
“These evacuations are lifesaving, they’re critical, they’re needed,” she said. “But they are bilateral programmes organised with the States so we encourage those, they should continue. But the main message is that a broader international response is needed.”
Since the beginning of this year, UNHCR has provided emergency assistance to 230,000 people in the country.
This includes cash assistance, shelter kits, hygiene support and other relief items. In addition, needs assessments are ongoing for some half a million displaced Afghans, 80 per cent of whom are women and children.
Echoing the message of solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, UN health agency spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic insisted that the World Health Organization (WHO) was “committed to staying in Afghanistan and delivering critical health services. We’re calling all parties to respect and protect civilians, health workers, patients and health facilities.”
The WHO official added that most major health facilities were functioning and that health workers “have been called to return to, or to remain in their posts, including female health staff”.
With 550,000 people displaced inside Afghanistan this year and millions more prior to the chaos linked to the Taliban takeover, UNHCR issued an urgent appeal for $62.8 million to deal with immediate needs. Overall requirements for the Afghanistan situation are $351 million, with funding levels currently at 43 per cent.
ends
STORY: AFGHANISTAN UPDATE –UNHCR - WHO
TRT: 02:03”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 20 August 2021, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Exterior wide shot, United Nations flag flying, a bright day.
- Wide shot, press briefing, journalists, masked, podium and big-screen TV for external speakers.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson: “UNHCR remains concerned about the risk of human rights violations against civilians in this evolving context, including for women and girls. As of today, those who may be in danger have no way out. UNHCR is calling on countries neighbouring Afghanistan to keep their borders open in light of the evolving crisis in Afghanistan.”
- Mid of participants taking notes, masked.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo UNHCR spokesperson: “These evacuations are lifesaving, they’re critical, they’re needed. But they are bilateral programmes organised with the States so we encourage those, they should continue. But the main message is that a broader international response is needed.”
- Mid, journalist, masked, checking phone.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Shabia Mantoo UNHCR spokesperson: “At present, we are able to access all provinces, and are working in some two-thirds of all districts. Together with the wider UN country team, we are committed to staying and delivering aid to the Afghan people for as long as we have access to populations in need and can ensure safety for our staff.”
- Mid of participants, masked.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesperson: “WHO is committed to staying in Afghanistan and delivering critical health services. We’re calling all parties to respect and protect civilians, health workers, patients and health facilities.”
- Wide shot, participant writing notes, translators’ booths to rear.
- SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesperson: “Most of the major health facilities are functioning. And this is based on a provincial level field monitoring. Health workers have been called to return to, or to remain in their posts, including female health staff.”
- Mid, participants, masked, taking notes.
- Wide shot, participants, masked, preparing to take notes.
- Wide shot, participant, masked, writing notes, translators’ booths to rear.
- Wide shot, participants, masked and seated wide apart.
- Close-up, showing hands and pens taking notes on notepads in profile.
Similar Stories
1
48
1
1
Edited News | UNOG
A ceremony marking the completion of the construction of the Portail des Nations, a soon-to-open visitors centre for the UN in Geneva, was held today for diplomats from around the world who have gathered in the Swiss city for the opening session of the Human Rights Council.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his opening remarks to the 61str session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
1
10
1
1
Edited News | HRC , SG
In Geneva, delegates from more than 120 countries gathered on Monday to mark 20 years of the UN Human Rights Council and a shared commitment to international law, amid runaway global instability and conflict, amid runaway global instability and conflict.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office has published a report on the grave human rights abuses suffered by the hundreds of thousands of people trafficked into scam operations mostly in southeast Asia.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado briefed journalists on a UN report detailing child trafficking by gangs and how it is putting Haiti’s future at risk.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , IFRC , UN WOMEN
Ukraine’s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy, healthcare continue – UN humanitarians
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions in Ukraine struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes, with the crisis taking a particular toll on women, humanitarians warned on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
“Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya are subjected to ruthless and systematic human rights violations and abuses, which include killings, torture, sexual violence and trafficking,” the UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told the bi-weekly press conference in Geneva today.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , IOM
Four years of war in Ukraine: Childhood has ‘moved underground’, displacement continues – UN humanitarians
Civilian suffering shows no sign of letting up in Ukraine as the four-year-mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion nears amid attacks on energy infrastructure, blackouts and freezing temperatures, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Friday voiced concerns about the severe impacts on human rights of the socio-economic crisis in Cuba.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
Madagascar: ‘Overwhelming’ destruction, surging needs after back-to-back cyclones – WFP
Some 10 days after tropical cyclone Fytia brought heavy rains and flooding to Madagascar, cyclone Gezani has left the island’s main port in ruins, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN rights chief urges de-escalation in Tigray amid rising tensions and violence.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , OHCHR
In Sudan, sick and starving children ‘wasting away’ – UN humanitarians
Relentless violence, famine and disease are picking off Sudan’s children while attacks on healthcare and a lack of aid access hamper efforts to help them, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Tuesday.