Humanitarian crisis brewing in Afghanistan: UNHCR chief

Lauds Pakistan’s support for helping Afghans

ISLAMABAD:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday said that a humanitarian crisis is brewing inside Afghanistan, as around half a million people were displaced after the new rulers took over the war-torn country.

“I have not seen big refugee movement [of Afghans] but of course if the state collapses we could see a lot of people trying to seek refuge in other countries,” he said while addressing a press conference in the federal capital.

Grandi – who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan – said that Pakistan is cautious about its border security. The UNHCR during his trip had met senior government officials, refugee representatives and other partners. Grandi also had a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“Pakistani authorities are not allowing Afghans to cross the border illegally and without passports,” the UNHCR chief said. However, he appealed Pakistan to facilitate Afghan citizens of specific needs or minority if they don’t have proper documentation, so that may be facilitated.

Elaborating on the situation after August 15 (Taliban takeover), he said that half a million people were displaced very recently – in addition to the three and a half million people displaced by the conflict.

The UNHCR chief said that the humanitarian situation in the war-ravaged country was already bad. Taking note of the new development, he said that people are in dire need of food, medicines, shelter and other necessities of life.

Grandi, the 11th United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also spoke about his Afghanistan trip where he visited Mazar-i- Sharif. He also had meetings with different ministers of interim government of Afghanistan.

On the decision of UN secretary general, he said the UN is engaging with the interim Taliban administration in Afghanistan especially on humanitarian matters.

He said that meetings were constructive and were focused on human issues, adding that the authorities assured him of security of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

The UN mission is working with local and foreign staff, he said, adding that the mission’s strength has been further extended. “The UN will never leave the country, however, we had reduced our presence because of the situation after August 15,” he said.

On the upcoming obstacle, he said the Taliban will have to face the challenge of paying remuneration to the employees to run the government.

The UNHCR added that so far Afghan refugees are not going to any other country. He maintained that the refugees will stay in the country but not migrate to any country.

Grandi warned that there will be a different situation if the country goes to civil war.

“We will have to see how the Taliban would treat minorities and deal women’s education, he said.

Moreover, he thanked Pakistan for assisting the Afghan people. “I thank Pakistan for facilitating the humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. It is very important as most of the relief supplies come through Pakistan borders,” he added.

The UNHCR chief said that the transportation of basic items and goods to Afghanistan continues through Chaman and Torkham borders.

“As usual Pakistan will play very important role to support humanitarian operations inside Afghanistan,” he said and cited it as an “important country” for the UNHCR.

“We also understand the position of Pakistan as it has hosted so many refugees for 40 years and the international community should do more,” the UNHCR chief said.

 (WITH INPUT FROM APP)