The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan says it needs $500 million to help those in need in Afghanistan through this coming winter.

The UN agency said on Sunday that 15.8 million people in Afghanistan will need food and livelihood assistance this winter.

OCHA said the risks of the coming winter were high, and that the needy also needed help in shelter and winter clothing.

The aid should be provided within the next three months, OCHA said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which earlier this year estimated the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan at 23.7 million, said the humanitarian response program in Afghanistan is currently facing a $2.3 billion shortfall.

In recent months, natural disasters, especially heavy rains and devastating floods, have added to the needs in Afghanistan.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that the joint military exercises between Pakistan and the United States on Pakistani soil were a source of concern for the region.

In an interview with a Russian media outlet, Muttaqi said that if regional and neighboring countries protect their borders, there will be no problems in Afghanistan.

He said talks between the Pakistani government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would be in Islamabad's interest.

“Pakistan is holding exercises with US forces, working together," Muttaqi said. “This is a concern for the countries of the region. This is not in the interest of Pakistan and the region.”

Muttaqi also claimed that Daesh does not exist in Afghanistan and the enemies use the group as a tool to discredit Afghanistan.

"Just as Russia is threatened and suffers from Daesh that goes to Russia from outside, if Afghanistan suffers from Daesh, it is Daesh that comes from outside," Muttaqi said. “So if neighboring countries and the region pay serious attention to this issue and protect their borders, there will be no problems in Afghanistan.”

Muttaqi also expressed concern over the smuggling of synthetic drugs into Afghanistan and stressed regional cooperation to fight it.

The Islamic Emirate official said that after the ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the price of opium has gone up and poppy cultivation in some neighboring countries has reached tens of thousands of hectares of land.

“The problem we are facing now is synthetic drugs that come from outside and there are different types," he said. “We are trying to resolve that as well, but the cooperation of neighboring countries is also necessary in this field.”

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Saturday said Saturday that Afghanistan cannot be left by the wayside, particularly in light of the threat of terrorism.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Faisal bin Farhan reiterated Riyadh’s commitment to Afghanistan’s security, stability and territorial integrity.

He also highlighted the importance of addressing the humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan.

Saudi's foreign minister stressed that economic stability and development is possible in an environment that has political and social stability.

The Islamic Emirate denies the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate considers dialogue and engagement as the only way to address Afghanistan's challenges and it seeks good relations with all countries.