Share:Afghanistan is facing an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” as the Taliban take control of the war-torn nation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday. Guterres voiced grave concern as about half of all Afghans, or 18 million people, require humanitarian aid to survive, and pledged "the humanitarian system’s commitment to stay and deliver will not waver." "A humanitarian catastrophe looms," he said in a statement. The international body evacuated hundreds of its humanitarian personnel from Afghanistan ahead of the US withdrawal from the country, which was completed on Tuesday. Guterres has emphasized the importance of ensuring Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport remains open following the US exit to facilitate large-scale aid deliveries.

Source: The Nation August 31, 2021 18:00 UTC