RASC News Agency: The United Nations has launched an appeal for over $140 million to provide critical humanitarian assistance to Afghanistani refugees and other vulnerable populations in Pakistan. In a statement issued on Friday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) emphasized the urgent need for support, noting that Afghanistani refugees in Pakistan are living in precarious conditions and require immediate aid. Many of these refugees face severe hardships and lack access to basic necessities. According to a report by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, the appeal allocates $41.6 million for emergency nutrition, $59.8 million for general humanitarian responses, $34.5 million for refugee and host community support, and $5 million for disaster risk reduction.
The report also pointed out that, while the situation of Afghanistani refugees in Iran is relatively less dire, a significant number still require humanitarian assistance to meet their needs. UNICEF’s statement revealed that Pakistan hosts over three million Afghanistanis, nearly half of whom 49% are children. These children face critical challenges in accessing essential services. The statement further noted that, while extending hospitality to Afghanistani refugees, Pakistan continues to grapple with its own issues, including climate-induced natural disasters and high rates of malnutrition. The United Nations reiterated its call for international cooperation to support Afghanistani refugees in Pakistan, underscoring the compounded challenges faced by both the displaced populations and their host communities.
In a prior report, the UN highlighted the violence and systemic inequality experienced by Afghanistani refugees in Pakistan. The organization underscored the necessity of sustained international assistance to safeguard the rights and well-being of Afghanistani refugees and ensure they receive the aid they desperately need.
