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Humanitarian crisis intensifies in Afghanistan
United Nations say the Taliban have so far allowed their work to continue uninterrupted, as world leaders and NGO’s work tirelessly to meets the needs of thousands of displaced Afghans in what is now a major humanitarian crisis.
An estimated 270,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country since January 2021 – primarily due to insecurity and violence – bringing the total uprooted population to over 3.5 million and rising.
Taliban leaders have assured officials that the takeover would be peaceful, and that women’s safety in the country a priority, despite reports that women are being forced to stay indoors and forego work and extracurricular activities.
Taliban assures NGO’s they’ve reformed
Daniel Wordsworth, CEO of World Vision Australia says the Taliban have so far not interfered with their ongoing aid work in the country.
Several large humanitarian groups maintain they have a mandate to continue emergency aid. But the scope of what that would look like is uncertain – dependent on fraught negotiations with the Taliban, and clouded by the potential for tighter restrictions and threats to Afghan staff.
World Vision calls for government action
World Vision Australia is asking the government to provide 20,000 places within their refugee program for displaced Afghans feeling the Taliban.
So far, the Australian government has pledged to offer 3000 humanitarian crisis visas, despite other nations declaring to offer more than six times that figure.
Priority will be given to Afghans with family in Australia, women and girls, and persecuted minorities as part of their ongoing rescue operation.
Australia’s commitment falls short of what is being offered by some other developed countries.
Late last week, Canada detailed a plan to offer 20,000 special humanitarian visas to vulnerable Afghans in response to the current crisis.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison referenced the moves made by other countries and ruled out making similar promises, despite pledging further ADF involvement.
“You would have heard other countries talk about figures of 5,000, I note that some are talking about figures of 20,000”.
“But, can I tell you, there are no clear plans about that”.
“Australia is not going into that territory”, he said.
