While the humanitarian situation keeps deteriorating in Afghanistan and temperatures are decreasing to -20 Degrees Celsius, there are no positive developments concerning the ban of female Afghan NGO employees imposed by the Taliban administration. At the moment it is extremely difficult and unsafe for aid to reach women and children without the presence of female staff. Negotiations with the de facto authorities are still ongoing but have not reached a satisfactory conclusion for now.
In this context and according to Humanitarian Principles, the humanitarian actors in the country have decided to continue providing life-saving interventions to avoid leaving behind the most vulnerable and affected communities, especially women and children. Many households across the country are women-headed households, who stand to lose access to humanitarian assistance all together if Organizations do not provide life-saving support.
“WeWorld has worked in Afghanistan for many years and female staff are fundamental in aid work to reach the most affected communities. This latest violation of rights is unacceptable and we will continue working to guarantee the rights of every person, especially women. We stand by our vision, to strive for a world in which violence and exploitation are banned, a world that belongs to everybody and where no one is left behind.” Reports Dina Taddia – CEO at WeWorld.
WeWorld works in Afghanistan to support women-headed households, especially widows and their children and will continue to carry out life-saving distributions to guarantee food assistance in the northern Herat region. WeWorld has been forced to postpone aid activities for a few days due to the adverse conditions and freezing temperatures in the Herat region at the moment but will resume life-saving activities as soon as the conditions allow.
