UN: Famine threatens Afghanistan

The UN website quoted Lyons, in which she said that in Afghanistan "there is no money, food is becoming more expensive, the international community and many donors have suspended financial flows, fearing that they will fall into the hands of the Taliban*."

The head of the mission warned that if financial assistance to Afghanistan is not resumed, it will result in hunger and poverty for millions and a massive exodus of refugees from the country. Without money, Afghanistan, dependent on imports, will not be able to buy medicines. Lyons stressed that the current situation could set the Middle Eastern country back many generations. She also recalled that a number of members of the new Afghan administration, appointed by the Taliban*, are under UN sanctions.

“You have to decide what steps to take on the sanctions list and how to get in touch”, - said the Special Representative, adding that the dilemma must be resolved by members of the Security Council, neighboring countries and the entire international community.

She also expressed hope that the Shanghai Forum in Dushanbe will be successful and recalled the importance of the Russian-initiated expanded troika for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan and Pakistan's initiative for a ministerial meeting.

We remember that the day before the first cargo plane with humanitarian aid from Pakistan arrived in Kabul. The cargo was transferred to the Afghan Ministry of Health. Before that, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that he intends to cooperate in the new Afghan government if the people of Afghanistan support it.

* "Taliban" is recognized as terrorist and is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation