Afghanistan appeal for $471m to fight disaster

Kabul (WNA): An amount of up to $471 million is needed to overcome the challenges stemmed from natural disaster as the nation had suffered much from the last several years of civil conflicts and drought in Afghanistan, an official said Saturday.

The fund expected to be provided by the international community had been asked for being flown via the government budget by 80 per cent, Afghanistan minister of rehabilitation and rural development and deputy emergency committee chairman, Wais Barmak told reporters.

The budget which is estimated after discussion with UN office in Afghanistan on humanitarian affairs would be spent in protection of civilians, reduce mother and child mortality, cooperate with internally displaced people (IDP) etc, he said.

He said effective plans had been underway to expand the aids programmed for 2013 to be implemented across the most vulnerable areas and districts of the country.

Afghanistan-in-transition, is facing not only post-international forces security responsibility status, but many other challenges would follow a critical economic problem may face the nation, deputy UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Mark Bowden warned.

German representative for Afghanistan also vowed his country’s pledge to provide $25 million to be used as humanitarian aids in Afghanistan, with the UN Office vowing the international entities’ remain in Afghanistan and the level of addressing the human requirements would also raise.

The people blame the government for lack of accessibility to supply aids for the vulnerable people mostly IDP and different areas under natural disaster.

Report: Norullah Shayan

Edit: F. Akhgar