Afghans urge Taliban to take action against humanitarian disaster

The continuous rise of poverty and unemployment has led to calls to the Taliban caretaker government to take decisive actions to avoid a humanitarian disaster in the war-torn Afghanistan.
"The Taliban declared the war is over. More than 40 days after the Taliban takeover of Kabul, there still has been no positive change in the living conditions of the people. We enjoy good security, but we are concerned as living condition worsens in both urban and rural areas," Kabul resident Mohammad Khan told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"Good governance is the key to win the hearts and minds of the people. It is a key to change the current difficult situation," he said.

On September 7, the Taliban announced its caretaker government and the Taliban ministers soon assumed office without an oath taking ceremony.

However, the government employees' attendance is still weak in ministries and government general directorates.

"I want the Taliban ministers to try their best to run government offices. People have been facing difficulties in getting identification cards and passports as the related departments are not operating," an applicant Salim Nawabi told Xinhua.

"Security situation remained calm but security is not the only issue; we need public services. People are concerned about financial and economic situation, health, education, and livelihoods. Most banks are open but with limited cash payment, including salaries for government and private employees," he said.


Struggling to get passports for his family and having repeatedly visited the related department, Nawabi said passport officials had regularly promised to applicants to start operation, but issuing passports is still being suspended.

Some 18 million of Afghanistan's 30 million population is reliant on emergency relief assistance, with needs continuing to rise, according to UN officials.

They said basic services in Afghanistan are collapsing, and food and other life-saving aid is about to run out.


On Monday, Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister of the newly-formed administration, met Deborah Lyons, special UN envoy and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul, discussing various issues, including women's situation, the UNAMA confirmed.

Muttaqi gave assurances on behalf of the Taliban that the safety and security of all UN personnel in Afghanistan will be respected "so the organisation's 1,000 staff in the country can continue their work in various sectors, including ramping up delivery of humanitarian help".

"The Taliban should help UN agencies and other international aid agencies to resume operation," another resident Ahmad Fahim said.


He said that a country of 30 million population needs not only security, but also rights, water, food, jobs, transportation, roads, and public services.

The Taliban should listen to the people's voices over their legitimate demands, he said.

Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to countries that have pledged $1.2 billion in relief for Afghanistan to take action quickly.


Besides, the Taliban authorities have vowed to have the aid reach those in need in a completely transparent manner - IANS