New Zealand government said on Friday that it is sending $3 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to support crisis-affected communities in the country.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the amount will be provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Refugee Agency in Afghanistan.
“Ardern said the government was working with 53 New Zealanders to evacuate them from #Afghanistan, and was also aware of 37 Afghans who may have worked alongside the New Zealand Defence Force that they would try to help evacuate along with their families.” https://t.co/8I0NfoHP7Z
— Get Shortened (@Get_Shortened) August 16, 2021
“The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions in need of assistance and hundreds of thousands displaced by the recent conflict – 80% of whom are reported to be women and girls,” said Mahuta.
“In Afghanistan, the Red Cross is currently focusing on protection of civilians and provision of essential services including emergency health care, water and sanitation," she added.
The UN Refugee Agency is providing a range of protection and assistance support to internally displaced Afghans. It is also supporting Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.
“It is vital that humanitarian agencies are allowed access to affected populations," said Mahuta.
She called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect aid workers and civilians from harm, and support the right to freedom of movement.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan after capturing Kabul on Aug. 15, forcing President Ashraf Ghani and other top government officials to leave the country.
New Zealand is the first to come to Afghans’ aid.
— eyeswideopen (@wedonopeneyes) August 16, 2021
You don’t go to a country to tear them up and then decide it’s #AmericaFirst.
That’s not how any of this works but unfortunately this is how USA and UK have always worked for decades.https://t.co/DDknAEwbns
The group, which was removed from power after US-led foreign forces occupied Afghanistan in 2001, is now in the process of establishing a government.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
