The situation in Afghanistan is turning from bad to worse. The World Food Programme (WFP) is estimating that 95 per cent of the country’s population is at risk of starvation. David Baseley, the Executive Director of WFP told the BBC that if the developed countries will not come forward to provide the necessary humanitarian aid, the country is heading for the worst ever human catastrophe.
“Ninety-five percent of the people don’t have enough food, and now we’re looking at 23 million people marching towards starvation,” he told BBC. “The next six months are going to be catastrophic. It is going to be hell on Earth.”
Beasley criticized the Western countries for cutting off the aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban took over in August this year.
“To the world leaders, to the billionaires: imagine that this was your little girl or your little boy, or your grandchild about to starve to death,” he said. “You would do everything you possibly could, and when there’s $400 trillion worth of wealth on the earth today, shame on us.”
According to media reports Afghanistan has literally turned hell for its people.
As the country is progressing towards the harsh winters from fall now, the people have no food left with many of the country’s regions facing drought.
America and its close allies have shut down all political and diplomatic channels with the new rulers-Taliban of the country.
The US has sought certain assurances from the Taliban before it resumes its political and diplomatic engagements.
The US wants the Taliban to allow girls education in the country and no implementation of strict sharia laws on its people.
The Taliban, however has not made any assurances, however, reiterates that it has progressed a lot since 2002 when America led NATO toppled the Mullah Muhammad Omar‘s Taliban government through military power.
Most of the countries have not even accepted the Taliban as the ruling government of Afghanistan.
The political isolation of the Taliban has crippled its economy and millions of people have lost their jobs. Majority of the people have no salaries received after the government of Ashraf Ghani collapsed in August and the United States pulled back its financial assistance to the war torn country.
Afghanistan was surviving 90 per cent on international funding and America was its major contributor. However, ever since the Taliban took over the funding was put on halt.
In September, China assured that it will provide all possible support to the Afghanistan people in these tough times. It announced a relief package of 31 million dollars for its people ahead of the upcoming winters.
Economically, cash starving Pakistan is also trying to offer humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan and the country’s premier Imran Khan again appealed to the world body to come forward and help the people of Afghanistan.
“I have been warning of this humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Now the WFP chief issues an alert. Pak will continue to provide all possible relief but the international community must act now. It has a moral obligation to avert this humanitarian disaster confronting Afghan ppl,” he posted a message on his Facebook wall after sharing the chilling BBC report.
Regional security dialogue
Meanwhile, the world is split into two blocs over Afghanistan. India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the Regional Security Dialogue at New Delhi on November 10. Pakistan and China refused to attend the meet while seven other countries including Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to participate. The meeting was held at Delhi in which Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries will discuss their future with the Taliban ruling country and the possible impact on its neighborhood.
Last week, Pakistan’s NSA, Moed Yousuf in Islamabad said that he will not be joining the Regional Security Dialogue held at New Delhi and hosted by his counterpart Ajit Doval.
“Spoilers can’t be peacemakers. India has been always playing a negative role in Afghanistan so I will not be attending the meet,” he told the media.
China, however, a few days ago also downplayed India’s invitation and said for some other scheduled engagements it cannot participate in the dialogue.
Pakistan is also sitting on India’s request to allow its trucks to carry 50000 metric tonns of wheat to Afghanistan through Wagah border. Pakistan so far neither allowed nor turned down the request of India.
India has also not accepted the Taliban regime in the country and it is more close to America on regional issues in South Asia.
Political observers believe that if the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan prevails, it will lead the country to civil war and the regional security will also be under threat.
China, Pakistan and Russia who seem to be on the same page on Afghanistan and don’t want Western interference in the region have appealed to the United States to unfreeze 9.5 billion dollars assets of Afghanistan to allow the country to fight its prevailing financial crisis.
After the Taliban took over, America froze 9.5 billion dollars of assets of the Federal Bank of Afghanistan landing the country into a massive financial crunch.
China, however, is helping Afghanistan to overcome the ongoing economic crisis and has allowed it to export its products to Beijing. It is also through its online shopping portals and official Television Channels helping Afghanistan people to sell its products.
https://www.thelegitimatenews.com/afghanistan-the-hell-on-earth/
