Afghanistan Times
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Kabul: The UK’s aid watchdog has raised concerns over cuts to the humanitarian assistance budget that have led to vital projects in Afghanistan being halted or delayed.
In its report, published on Thursday, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact highlighted that reductions to the UK’s funding commitment for 2022-23 have resulted in programmes for polio vaccinations and the clearance of landmines and improvised explosive devices being suspended.
Funding for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan 2022-23 had already been reduced to £246 million and the budget for 2023-24 has been lowered further to £100 million.
The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that 28.3 million people – two thirds of Afghanistan’s population – will need humanitarian assistance in 2023, a 16 per cent increase from 2022 and a 54 per cent increase from 2021.
Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres confirmed the world body would stay in Afghanistan to deliver humanitarian aid but warned of a severe shortfall in financial pledges for the humanitarian appeal for the country.
