United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the escalating violence situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan while calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
UN chief is “deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations. He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing Friday.
Dujarric further said that UN humanitarian officials are voicing concern over the impact of attacks in Afghanistan, including a reported incident at a transit and reception centre at the Torkham border crossing in the eastern part of Afghanistan.
"We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; in particular, to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, as well as civilian infrastructure,” he said.
UN humanitarian officials have noted that years of conflict, poverty, and natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have left nearly half the population, almost 22 million men, women, and children, in need of humanitarian aid.
"This number will only increase if the fighting goes on or escalates," Dujarric said, adding that the UN, along with its humanitarian partners, is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to support wherever possible.
UN humanitarian officials also need more funding for their operations, he said, adding that they’ve only received 11 per cent – or USD 181 million – of the USD 1.7 billion needed for this year’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.
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