VOICE on the current situation in Afghanistan

The VOICE network is very concerned about the alarming situation in Afghanistan and stands in solidarity with the people in the country, especially women and girls. 

We are closely monitoring the situation,  listening to the staff of our NGO members on the ground, and trying to understand how best we can support them. At the moment we have noted that many of our members have stated their commitment to trying to find ways to maintain a presence and resume programming, either directly or with their Afghan partners. 

VOICE calls on ECHO and EU member states to continue supporting humanitarian aid delivery and humanitarian aid workers in the country and to ensure that sanctions regimes do not impede the delivery of aid. 

VOICE welcomes the declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union calling on “all parties in Afghanistan to respect all commitments made and to pursue further an inclusive, comprehensive and enduring political solution [and noting that] the protection and promotion of all human rights, in particular those of women and girls, must be an integral part of these efforts and women should be supported and able to contribute fully to this process”.  We also welcome Mr. Borrell words stating that “To address the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the European Union will continue to provide needs-based assistance to the Afghan people and calls on all actors to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to Afghan women, men and children in need, including to the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs).”

The delivery of principled humanitarian aid should continue unhampered and access to all communities in need should be maintained.