UN has counted Afghan refugees fleeing foreign troops | United Nations News
The UNHCR chief says disaster preparedness plans are in place for many people who have fled their homes due to fear of violence.
The United Nations is preparing for the evacuation of civilians in Afghanistan after U.S. and foreign troops withdrew from the country in September, the head of the international refugee agency told Reuters news agency.
Violence has escalated as foreign forces begin to withdraw and try to stabilize the Afghan government and the Taliban gradually.
UNHCR Director-General Filippo Grandi pointed out a dangerous murder Last week an international bombing operation in northern Afghanistan killed at least 10 people.
“This is a sad reflection of the kind of atrocities that can happen again in Afghanistan and, with the departure of international troops, this is likely to worsen,” Grandi said on Monday.
“That is why we are preparing for an emergency in this country so that we can relocate, to neighboring countries if people cross the border,” he said, without giving details of the plans.
There are currently 2.5 million Afghan refugees worldwide, with another 4.8 million migrants, according to the UNHCR.
Twenty years after taking over the country, the US has begun withdrawing the remaining 2,500 troops and intending to withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11. Another 7,000 non-US troops from NATO – as well as Australia, New Zealand and Georgia – are also preparing to leave. that day.
The U.S. military led the Taliban in late 2001 for refusing to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 uprising in the US.
Grandi said strong international support was needed for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“It’s politics that needs to be replaced by conflict but, dangerously, (some relocation) exists and we need to be prepared,” he said.
“What is needed is adequate financial support to help the people of Afghanistan to secure access to opportunities for the Afghan government to establish,” UN High Commissioner Mark Lowcock told Reuters on Monday.
“There has been some good and beneficial news from Biden’s management, from the White House so far, and we have been having a very good conversation with them,” added Lowcock, who has resigned this month.
Earlier this month, the US announced more than $ 266m in aid for Afghanistan, bringing in about $ 3.9bn in total since 2002.
An estimated 18.4 million people, about half of the country’s population, are in need of help, according to the UN, which has requested $ 1.3bn to fund 2021. So far, it has received only about 23%.
Lowcock said that over the past few years there has been a worldwide interest in Afghanistan. This is “exhausted and weak and has another problem with the needs of Afghanistan and helping them”.
