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WHO appeals for $1.5 billion to address crises from Gaza to Afghanistan

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The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday appealed for $1.5 billion in funding to respond to the health needs of millions of people caught up in dozens of humanitarian crises around the globe, from Ukraine and Gaza to Afghanistan.

"We aim to reach some 87 million people with life-saving humanitarian assistance this year," said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"To do this, we need support totalling $1.5 billion, and we need this funding to arrive as early as possible and with as much flexibility as possible... A reactive approach is not enough."

Tedros said an estimated 166 million people would require health assistance around the world this year, including in the occupied Palestinian territories, Ukraine, Haiti and Sudan.

The health emergency requiring the most is taking place in the occupied Palestinian Territories - and Gaza in particular - where Israeli forces have carried out a relentless assault against the enclave in response to a deadly rampage by Hamas gunmen in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

WHO said it required $219 million to meet critical needs there for a period of three to six months, depending on the evolution of the conflict.

The other two global health emergencies requiring the most funding are COVID and the situation in Afghanistan, where 23.7 million people urgently need access to clean water and sanitation, WHO said.

The resurgence of cholera around the globe, which Tedros said was "especially concerning", requires funding of nearly $50 million, while WHO's health response in Ukraine needs $77 million.

"The cost of inaction is one the world cannot afford," Tedros said.

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UK stands firm on its commitment to Afghan women and girls: Hamish Falconer

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UK’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Hamish Falconer, says Britain stands firm in its commitment to the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women and girls.

Falconer stated on X that he hosted a meeting on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan with the participation of officials from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

"It was a pleasure to host the World Food Programme and the UN Population Fund in Afghanistan and discuss the lifesaving UK-funded assistance they are providing to the Afghan people. We stand firm in our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls,” he said.

Earlier, Falconer said that defending the rights of Afghan women and girls is one of the UK's main priorities.

However, some experts have pointed out that there is often a gap between the words and actions of countries supporting women.

"I emphasize to different countries the need for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, but such emphases and speeches are useless unless they are implemented and made practically binding. Until then, they will have no impact on the daily lives of people, especially women in Afghanistan,” said Adila Zamani, a women's rights activist.

Reports indicate that the UK has contributed 304 million pounds to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund since its establishment.

Meanwhile, some economic experts stated that continued humanitarian assistance from countries could be important in the short term.

Abdul Nasir Rashtiya, an economic expert, said: "The distribution or continuation of such aid helps prevent poverty in the country."

The protection of women's human rights remains an unresolved issue between the Islamic Emirate and the international community. As a result, despite more than three years of the IEA’s rule, countries are still unwilling to recognize the caretaker government of Afghanistan.

However, IEA has repeatedly stated that the rights of Afghan women are ensured within the framework of Islamic Sharia law.

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Talks are necessary to resolve problems between Iran and Afghanistan: Araghchi

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that talks are necessary to resolve the problems between his country and neighboring Afghanistan.

He said that the fight against terrorist groups, drugs, resolving the issue of migrants, water rights, border security, trade growth and economic issues require Kabul and Tehran to pursue diplomacy and resolve issues through dialogue.

The diplomat said that during his visit to Kabul, IEA officials emphasized Afghanistan's commitment to ensuring Iran’s water rights in accordance with the 1973 treaty.

Araghchi also said that Kabul and Tehran have agreed to work on a joint plan for the dignified return of Afghan migrants from Iran.

Araghchi visited Kabul on Sunday and met with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate, including the prime minister and acting ministers of foreign affairs and defense, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.

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IEA assures govt employees that they will get paid this month

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The Islamic Emirate said Thursday that US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid will not affect salaries of Afghan government workers.

This comes in the wake of rumors that government employees would not be paid for the solar month of Dalwa due to Trump’s severe cuts to aid.

Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s return to power in August 2021, the salaries of all government employees have been covered by the domestic budget, unlike in the past when donor money helped fund salaries.

In a post on X, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said that all 1.04 million government employees in Afghanistan will receive their salaries this month, as per usual.

He said the Ministry of Finance has assured the IEA that salaries will be paid.

“The country’s budget has a domestic foundation, it has nothing to do with the arrival or non-arrival of foreign aid,” he emphasized.

Mujahid’s statement comes after rumors began circulating that the IEA has suspended payment of salaries to government employees following Washington’s foreign aid freeze.

Trump’s move will however impact a wide range of humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the country.

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