NEW YORK, 10 February 2022, (TON): The International Organisation for Migration launched an international appeal for more than $589 million to respond to the urgent humanitarian and protection needs of communities in Afghanistan and six neighbouring countries.

The IOM, the UN agency dealing with migration, needs the money to assist more than 3.6 million crisis-affected persons and strengthen the communities' resilience and recovery.

Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations said "the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan is intensifying humanitarian needs and increasing displacement risks both inside the country as well as across borders to countries in the region.”

The IOM's revised Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries says it builds on its expertise in responding to migration and displacement crises.

Daniels said "nearly six months after the August 2021 political upheaval and resulting political transition, more than half of the Afghan population are now in need of humanitarian assistance, which is 30% more than last year.”

He said “Afghanistan faces a real risk of systemic collapse and humanitarian catastrophe as nearly all Afghans have now plunged into poverty."