(Reuters) - The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appealed on Wednesday to other humanitarian organisations to return to Afghanistan and for the World Bank to unlock funds to support the tottering healthcare system. "I appreciate all of those humanitarian organisations that have an ability to defreeze, to unblock their programmes because needs are uncontested." Maurer said the ICRC never takes positions on sanctions, but said World Bank support for the health sector was critical. This time, the group has said it welcomes foreign donors, and will protect the rights of foreign and local staff. The ICRC, which has worked in Afghanistan since 1987, deploys some 1,800 national and international staff in the country, including surgical teams.

Source: The Star September 08, 2021 14:03 UTC