(New: More concrete formulation of the German commitments in Paragraph 3: 100 million euros in emergency aid, plus an additional 500 million euros in prospect.)
GENEVA (dpa-AFX) – At an international Afghanistan conference, numerous countries pledged aid totaling a good billion dollars (846 million euros) for the needy population
– and at the same time demands in terms of human rights
ruling Taliban. At the first donor conference since the militant Islamist movement came to power in August, many states made it clear on Monday in Geneva that they would not make their short-term humanitarian support conditional. However, cooperation with the Taliban regime will depend on how they deal with foreign aid workers, women, children and minorities.
According to UN figures, 93 percent of households in Afghanistan do not have enough to eat. According to UN authorities, basic services in Afghanistan are about to collapse. With humanitarian aid, medical services, water supplies and sanitary facilities are to be maintained. In addition, protective measures for children and women, emergency shelters and schools are to be financed. The aid workers also need money to support the 3.5 million displaced people in the country and the more than 2 million Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) announced in Geneva 100 million euros as emergency aid for people in need in the Central Asian country and region. He also promised another 500 million. “Beyond humanitarian aid, we will make our future attitude towards a Taliban government dependent not on its words, but rather on its actions,” he said.
The UN Secretary General pointed out that the Taliban had written to the United Nations asking for international support in development cooperation, the fight against drought and security issues. “I think that the international community has a means of exerting pressure,” said Guterres.
“The world should work with us,” Taliban spokesman Sabiullah Mujahid told the German press agency on Monday. “Security in the country has been maintained and the people are in economic trouble: food is scarce, medicine is scarce.” According to Guterres, the Taliban have already given written assurances that aid organizations can go about their work and are protected by their fighters in the process.
However, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet pointed to broken promises to protect employees of the previous government and to respect women’s rights. “It looks like the situation on the ground often contradicts these promises,” she said. She also reported on increasing attacks against UN employees.
Before the conference began, the United Nations had asked for more than $ 600 million for the period September to December to fight hunger and save the country from collapse. How much of the billion dollars will go to this emergency aid budget, and how much will be made available in another form or later, Guterres could not say. “This conference fully met my expectations in terms of solidarity with the people of Afghanistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Taliban contradicted rumors that Deputy Chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had been killed. Corresponding reports are “unfounded and not true,” said Taliban spokesman Suhail Shahin.
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