High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres convened a High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan on Monday, 13 September 2021, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Geneva (CET) / 8 a.m. to noon New York (EDT). The meeting highlighted the acute needs in the country and underscored the urgent funding support and actions required by international partners to support the Afghan people during their time of need. A full recording of the event is available online.
Background
The country faces an extremely dire situation and is confronted with protracted conflict, severe drought and the COVID-19 pandemic in a context where some 18 million Afghans – almost half of the population – were already in need of aid. More than 550,000 people have been displaced in the country since January 2021. One in three Afghans is experiencing crisis or emergency level of food insecurity, and more than half of the children under age 5 are at the brink of acute malnutrition. The severe drought is compounding the humanitarian crisis, and the upcoming winter conditions are expected to be harsh. Humanitarian partners are therefore calling for urgent supplies for the country.
The UN remains committed to deliver impartial humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of people in need. Development gains must also be protected to link the humanitarian response with Afghanistan’s medium- and long-term stability. Women’s and girls’ rights, safety and well-being are an essential part of that link.
It is crucial for the international community to take swift action to ensure that the people of Afghanistan have unimpeded access to life-saving assistance, and that humanitarian funding to support them is scaled up. To this effect, Secretary-General Guterres convened the High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan.
Programme and Statements
Monday, 13 September 2021
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Geneva (CET) / 8 a.m. to noon New York (EDT)
| 2 p.m. - 2.15 p.m. |
Opening Session · Opening remarks from UN Secretary-General António Guterres |
| 2.15 p.m. - 5.55 p.m. |
Interventions from the Floor |
| 5 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. |
Press Conference |
| 5.55 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Closing Remarks by USG/ERC Martin Griffiths |
Additional Statements
Disclaimer: Statements and videos by partners are not a reflection of endorsement by OCHA.
OCHA thanks all partners who provided interventions from the floor, including the following additional statements:
Member States
| Ecuador | H.E. Mrs. Bernarda Ordóñez Moscoso, National Secretary of Human Rights |
| Georgia | H.E. Mr. Alexander Maisuradze, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations Office in Geneva |
| Romania | H.E. Mr. Cornel Feruță, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania |
| Tajikistan | H.E. Mr. Jamshed Khamidov, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office in Geneva |
| Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of |
H.E. Mr. Hector Constant Rosales, |
United Nations Entities and Partners
| United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) | Mr. Bruno Donat, Global Coordinator, Mine Action Area of Responsibility, Chief, UNMAS Geneva office – video |
| Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) | H.E. Ms. Nassima Baghli, Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations Office in Geneva |
| Voices of Afghan Women |
Ms. Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson Ms. Yald Royan, Country Technical Team Lead |
Resources
Contacts
OCHA focal points for the event: Ms. Chunyao Yi (yi1@un.org); and Mr. Justin Dittmeier (justin.dittmeier@un.org)
For inquiries regarding in-person participation at the meeting: Ms. Emira Klibi (klibi@un.org)
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