KABUL: The UN has said in a statement that the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have adopted the U.S. designed and proposed resolution for clearing the way of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
The statement said that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution exempting humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan from sanctions and clears the path for bringing vital support to millions of people in the country.
“The resolution was designed and proposed by the US and was adopted by the members of the security council,” said the statement. “The Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution clearing the way for aid to reach Afghans in desperate need of basic support, while preventing funds from falling into the hands of the Taliban,” the statement from the UN referring to its official news-site added.
According to the source, the resolution facilitates transfer of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan without being affected by sanctions.
“In passing the text, the Council carved out an exemption for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from sanctions imposed under resolutions 2255 (2015) and 1988 (2011), concerning individuals and entities associated with the Taliban in constituting a threat to peace, stability
and security,” the UN News said.
According to reports, China, backed by Russia, opposed another resolution proposed by the U.S. that would allow humanitarian assistance flow into Afghanistan. China said it was against a “case-by-case exemption mechanism.”
“Adoption of this resolution highlights how the UN sanctions regimes can be flexible and adjust to address urgent issues such as humanitarian crisis, while remaining a viable tool to address threats to international security. We believe the UN role in coordinating humanitarian operations in Afghanistan is more critical than ever.
The United States will continue to do its part to support the Afghan people, while also holding the Taliban accountable for following through on its commitments,” said Jeffery DeLaurent is, acting representative for U.S. mission to the UN.
“This humanitarian exception will allow organizations to implement the work we have planned and will give legal assurances to the financial institutions and commercial actors we rely on to engage with humanitarian operators,” according to Farhan Haq, a UN spokesman.
Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian affairs, welcomed the resolution and said it was necessary considering the situation in Afghanistan.
“This milestone decision will enable urgently needed humanitarian action to save lives and livelihoods in Afghanistan. It is evidence of how seriously Member States take the shocking levels of
need and suffering in the country,” he said.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also welcomed the new resolution to support the people of Afghanistan amid the humanitarian crisis.
The Islamic Emirate has also welcomed the resolution, as it would open the way for more steps by the U.S. to release all Afghanistan money in financial asset.
A government employee Daud Nejrabi said the move by the UN would help ease exemption of humanitarian assistance to the poverty-hit nation from sanctions “The reason behind multiple months of not receiving salaries hides in the U.S.’s denial of the country’s money release and we hope the west come back of its
sanction and soon release the country’s asset,” he believed.
Another Kabul resident, Tellah Mohammad who runs a property office also told The Kabul Times that he was happy to hear this from media.
“I am really excited to hear from media that the UN was adopting the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan destitute people, as they suffered much following the sanction,” he said adding U.S. was a great power and a great nation, so it should do what was important for the people of Afghanistan.
He said the international community’s engagement over the past 20 years in Afghanistan would
mean nothing if it leaves the Afghan people with no support.
“We the Afghans would stay alongside our government for a friendly relation with the world and welcome the move by the UN for keeping continue the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Afghans and ask all the world countries to support the Afghans at this incredible harsh economic time, especially, the U.S. to unfreeze all our money as soon as possible.
Zarabi
IEA, people welcome UN assistance resolution to Afghans amid growing poverty
