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Afghanistan: What humanitarian aid is getting in? Afghanistan: What humanitarian aid is getting in?
(2 months later)
There is growing concern at the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, with eight million people at risk of starvation this winter, according to UK aid agencies. The worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has left over 20 million people in need of assistance, the UN says.
Many countries have suspended or significantly cut funding to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August. Many countries suspended or significantly cut funding to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
And aid organisations are launching a public appeal for donations to help alleviate the crisis. Last month, the UN launched what it said was the "largest ever appeal" for a single country, asking for $4.4bn in funding.
Who is providing support?Who is providing support?
About 80% of the former Afghan government's budget came from international development aid. Prior to the overthrown of the government last year about 80% of its budget came from external aid.
And this government support has now been mostly suspended. However, most of this aid was suspended once the Taleban took power and financial assets (nearly $10bn) were frozen by foreign governments and institutions.
But humanitarian aid has largely continued to flow. But humanitarian aid did continue to flow, and some foreign governments clarified that this support would be exempt from sanctions.
The Afghan children battling malnutrition and measles As of February, about $1.6bn (£1.36bn) has been provided to Afghanistan, according the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA).
The struggle to save Afghanistan's starving babies
Afghans facing 'hell on earth' as winter looms
So far this year, about $1.6bn (£1.36bn) has been provided to Afghanistan, according the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA).
And the US has consistently been the largest donor, followed by the European Union - although some countries in the EU, such as Germany, have provided additional funding.And the US has consistently been the largest donor, followed by the European Union - although some countries in the EU, such as Germany, have provided additional funding.
In October, the EU pledged $1bn in humanitarian aid. In October 2021, the EU pledged a further $1bn in humanitarian aid.
And several countries - including neighbouring Pakistan and India - have directed food and medical supplies through aid agencies. And several other countries - including neighbouring Pakistan, India and China as well as Arab Gulf states - have sent some food and medical supplies through various aid agencies.
International donors have also agreed to transfer $280m from a frozen fund to food and health services in Afghanistan, the World Bank says. In December, international donors also agreed to transfer $280m from a frozen account to fund UN-run food and health services in Afghanistan, the World Bank says.
But funding remains a challenge, according to the UNOCHA, which estimates a further $4.5bn is needed for the coming year. The US has said it is looking into releasing half of the $7bn in frozen Afghan assets in the US for humanitarian purposes, although the remainder would be kept back.
Overall funding remains a challenge, and aid agencies say sanctions exemptions and the limited release of some frozen funds do not address the issue of overall economic collapse.
"The humanitarian response cannot sustainably fill the massive gaps that have been left by the wider withdrawal of international support," Vicki Aken, of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Afghanistan, says."The humanitarian response cannot sustainably fill the massive gaps that have been left by the wider withdrawal of international support," Vicki Aken, of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Afghanistan, says.
"The need is widespread," Ms Aken says. "It would be difficult to say any province is not in need."
Medical assistance is being provided by the International Red CrossMedical assistance is being provided by the International Red Cross
What more is needed? How great are current needs?
The situation in Afghanistan could become the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) says. David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, told the BBC that nine million people (including a million children) in Afghanistan were now in a situation just short of outright famine.
As many as 23 million people, most of the country's population, are facing acute food shortages over the winter months. He says humanitarian aid won't have an impact unless the economy is able to function. "It's essential to get that economy going to give Afghan people a chance to feed themselves. "
"The need is widespread," Ms Aken says. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned last October that the situation in Afghanistan could become the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
"It would be difficult to say any province is not in need." It said nearly 23 million people would face acute food shortages.
Afghans across the country are relying on food aid distributionsAfghans across the country are relying on food aid distributions
According to the UNOCHA, between September and November: According to UNOCHA, between September 2021 and January 2022:
about eight million people received food assistance more than nine million people received food assistance
water trucks reached more than 200,000 in drought-affected regions. water trucks reached more than 200,000 in drought-affected regions
more than 200,000 children were treated for malnutrition more than 276,000 children were treated for malnutrition
more than a million people received medical support, with medicine and other supplies flown in from the World Health Organization 1.6 million people received medical support, with medicine and other supplies flown in by the World Health Organization
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has also helped transporting supplies, including items to improve tent installation, to keep displaced Afghans warm in the winter months.The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has also helped transporting supplies, including items to improve tent installation, to keep displaced Afghans warm in the winter months.
But humanitarian organisations say more of these supplies and services are needed.But humanitarian organisations say more of these supplies and services are needed.
"Whatever we provide is just a drop in the ocean," Ingy Sedky, from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), says."Whatever we provide is just a drop in the ocean," Ingy Sedky, from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), says.
And 60% of health clinics assessed by the ICRC lack the capacity to deliver nutrition programmes Afghans need.And 60% of health clinics assessed by the ICRC lack the capacity to deliver nutrition programmes Afghans need.
The World Food Programme has been delivering aid in Kandahar provinceThe World Food Programme has been delivering aid in Kandahar province
How is aid getting into Afghanistan?How is aid getting into Afghanistan?
Most aid continues to be sent by road - through Afghanistan's borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.Most aid continues to be sent by road - through Afghanistan's borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.
Despite restrictions on the movement of people across the country's borders, the UNOCHA says they have remained largely open to the flow of humanitarian aid.Despite restrictions on the movement of people across the country's borders, the UNOCHA says they have remained largely open to the flow of humanitarian aid.
Most commercial flights to Kabul remain suspended - but aid organisations and governments have also been able to use air routes to send some emergency supplies. There's only a limited commercial flight service to Kabul - but aid organisations and governments have been able to use air routes to send some emergency supplies.
Iran has been sending humanitarian aid to Afghans via land and air routes Iran has been sending humanitarian aid to Afghans via land and air
Some food aid is also being sourced locally, the WFP says.Some food aid is also being sourced locally, the WFP says.
But major challenges remain in distributing aid within Afghanistan.But major challenges remain in distributing aid within Afghanistan.
Conditions remain "volatile and hard to predict due to sporadic violence that might erupt", the IRC in Afghanistan says.
And the collapse of the country's banking system in August meant "access to cash was extremely challenging".And the collapse of the country's banking system in August meant "access to cash was extremely challenging".
But now, with the onset of winter - when areas will be snowed in, making road and air access impossible - aid organisations are focusing on providing food and shelter to displaced Afghans. A recent report by the Norwegian Refugee Council said that difficulties in transferring funds into and within Afghanistan was hampering the humanitarian response.
Read more from Reality Check UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Afghanistan is "hanging by a thread" and that ways need to be found urgently to inject cash into the economy.
Read more from Reality CheckHow much aid is getting into Afghanistan?
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