Situation in Afghanistan: UN warn of humanitarian catastrophe

The Taliban are continuing their advance in Afghanistan at breakneck speed, and numerous civilians are on the run. In view of this development, the UN is sounding the alarm. NATO is apparently planning a special meeting.

Given the advance of the Taliban, the situation of the people in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly desperate, according to the United Nations. “We are on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe,” said a spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR. Above all, women and children would flee from the advancing Taliban. The organization appealed to Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to keep the borders open to those seeking protection. Without a way to get to safety, the lives of countless civilians are in danger. The UN organization is ready to support the national authorities in stepping up humanitarian measures if necessary.

The World Food Program also warns that the already severe food shortage in Afghanistan could worsen. Two million children alone are dependent on help. “We fear the worst is yet to come,” said a spokesman. The situation is becoming more and more confusing. In any case, given the escalation, there is far too little money available to really help. It would need $ 200 million by the end of the year.

NATO special meeting

Despite the impending danger, many aid organization employees want to stay on site. “I will stay here as long as that is possible in any way,” said Stefan Recker from Caritas International Kabul Deutschlandfunk. He also wanted to set an example that not all foreigners left. The Afghan director of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Tracey Van Heerden, said that the escalation of the conflict makes the work of aid organizations more difficult and dangerous. “But we are determined to stay and deliver.” Frightened families have fled to Kabul in the past few days. “Camps are overcrowded and children are sleeping outside. Families are fighting over food,” said Van Heerden. The NRC fears this is “happening at an unprecedented rate across the country”.

According to the AFP news agency, which refers to informed circles, NATO has scheduled a special meeting for today on the situation in Afghanistan. The central topic should be evacuation measures.

Seehofer assures support for local staff

The Federal Foreign Office expressed concern about developments in the country. “The rapid deterioration in the security situation is very worrying,” said a ministry spokesman in Berlin. Regarding the German embassy in Kabul, he says that the safety of employees has absolute priority. The message is about to prepare conceivable scenarios. A crisis team also meets.

At the same time, Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer reaffirmed his support for the local staff in Afghanistan. He wanted the former employees of Germany to be flown out as quickly as possible. “The situation in Afghanistan is becoming more and more threatening,” explains the CSU politician in Berlin. “Whether charter flights or issuing a visa after arrival in Germany: I support all measures that enable our local staff and their families to leave the country quickly.” The minister said the departure should not fail at the Ministry of the Interior. “There is no time for bureaucracy, we have to act.”

Rapid advance of the Taliban

The Taliban are making rapid progress with their offensive: Recently, Kandahar and Herat, the second and third largest cities in the country and the capital of the southern province of Helmand, Laschkargah, also fell into their hands. This means that there is growing concern that the extremists will soon be standing in front of the capital, Kabul, with around four million inhabitants.

The Taliban have now brought 14 of the 34 provincial capitals under their control within a week. Recently, US intelligence services had not ruled out the possibility that the extremists could isolate Kabul within 30 days and take over within 90 days, given the rapid successes. Many months were originally estimated for such a scenario.

In view of the advance of the Taliban, the USA had announced that it would reduce its embassy staff to a minimum in the coming weeks. In addition, 3,000 additional soldiers are to be relocated to Kabul Airport to support the orderly withdrawal of some of the personnel, said the US State and Defense Department. Great Britain also wants to get its compatriots and Afghan interpreters out of the country quickly. To make this possible, 600 soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan, said British Defense Minister Ben Wallace.