KABUL, 26 May 2021, (TON): - The UN and NGOs humanitarian actors in Afghanistan made commitment to staying and delivering impartial and neutral assistance to millions of people in need. Ongoing clashes, spiralling food insecurity and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a near-doubling of people in need in the space of 12 months – up from 9.4 million in January 2020 to 18.4 million in January 2021, according to a statement.

Humanitarian actors are deeply concerned by continued violence across the country characterized by high levels of civilian ­casualties and almost 100,000 people internally displaced just this year, while intra-Afghan negotiations present the opportunity for a lasting peace.

Increasing conflict and bureaucratic impediments have required humanitarian organisations to assess, mitigate and navigate the changing operational space.

Humanitarian actors in Afghanistan request to parties to the conflict that protect civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals in compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

In 2021, the UN and humanitarian partners in Afghanistan require US $1.3 billion to help 15.7 million people. Only $166.8 million (13 per cent) of the funding has been received yet.