World

More than $1bn pledged for Afghanistan humanitarian crisis

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2021

Anthony Lucas

The United Nations has confirmed it is putting together an aid conference in Geneva in an effort to raise more than $600 million for Afghanistan

More than $1bn in aid has now been pledged for Afghanistan.

The UN said the country was facing a major humanitarian crisis, and after decades of war and suffering, it was “perhaps their most perilous hour”, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

The poverty rate was “spiralling” and public services were close to collapse, he told the conference.

“Many people could run out of food by the end of this month just as winter approaches,” he warned.

The UN continues to warn of a humanitarian crisis in the war-torn nation, following the Taliban takeover.

Even before the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul last month, half the population – or 18 million people – had been dependent on aid.

UN officials now say that 18 million people figure is likely set to increase due to drought and shortages of cash and food.

An abrupt end to billions of dollars in foreign aid following the collapse of Afghanistan’s Western-backed government has put pressure on the UN.

The details of the conference:

The Geneva conference, which is expected to begin on Monday afternoon, will be attended by top U.N. officials.

About a third of the requested $606 million would be used by the U.N. World Food Programme.

That UN programme conducted a survey in August and September, finding that 93% of the 1,600 Afghans it surveyed were not consuming sufficient foods, mostly because they could not get access to cash to pay for it.

Related Topics:Afghanistan Kabul taliban trending

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Anthony Lucas

Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.

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World

Balloon diplomacy blows China off course

Published

23 hours ago

February 4, 2023

ticker NEWS

China claims an “airship” that is flying over the United States is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and voiced regret that it strayed into U.S. airspace.

U.S. officials said on Thursday that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In a statement late on Friday, China’s foreign ministry also said that it would continue to maintain communications with the United States to properly handle the unexpected situation.

“The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course,” it said.

“China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the U.S. side to properly handle this accident,” it said.

World

U.S. announces longer-range rocket for Ukraine

Published

23 hours ago

February 4, 2023

ticker NEWS

A new rocket that would double Ukraine’s strike range in its war with Russia was included in a $2.175 billion U.S. military aid package.

The new weapon, the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), will allow Ukraine’s military to hit targets at twice the distance reachable by the rockets it now fires from the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The 151 km (94 mile) GLSDB will put all of Russia’s supply lines in eastern Ukraine within reach, as well as part of Russian-occupied Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

“As part of the USAI package, we will be providing Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb to Ukraine,” Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told a news briefing at the Pentagon. USAI stands for Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Friday’s aid pledge opens the door to many more deliveries of the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB).

When the new rockets arrive, it will mark the first time Ukraine has seen its rocket range grow exponentially since U.S. furnished HIMARS in late-June 2022.

HIMARS have a 77 km (48 mile) range and were instrumental in Ukraine’s counter offensive against Russian forces, which invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.