Humanitarian situation in Afghanistan: dire: Stoltenberg

KABUL (Pajhwok): The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire causing grave concern for all, says the NATO secretary-general.

With the winter approaching, many people in Afghanistan were at risk of suffering, Jens Stoltenberg told a media briefing in Brussels on Friday.

He welcomed humanitarian aid from NATO allies to Afghanistan through the United Nations and other relief organisations.

“It’s something which demonstrates the will and the commitment of NATO allies to continue to support the people of Afghanistan,” he remarked.

In response to a query, the alliance chief said NATO had been in regular contact with Pakistan for many years on the situation in Afghanistan.

“We have political contacts; we have regular military contacts and dialogue. I think this is important …because there are still many challenges in the region, especially related to the future of Afghanistan.”

Stoltenberg said NATO foreign ministers would meet next week in Riga, Latvia, to discuss the organisation’s engagement in Afghanistan and.

The ministers will identify the right lessons for future crisis management operations and address the continuing build-up of Russian forces in and around Ukraine.

“Following the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and armed forces in August, I launched a comprehensive assessment of our engagement,” he added.

PAN Monitor/mud

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