KABUL, Afghanistan — Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said Afghan women humanitarian workers must be able to continue their vital work, as he held meetings with Taliban officials in Kabul on Afghanistan’s urgent challenges.
In a statement on X, Fletcher said he discussed key humanitarian issues, including the impacts of climate shocks, the return of Afghan migrants, existing humanitarian needs, and the effects of deep funding cuts.
“We are engaging to ensure principled delivery. And resolute that Afghan women humanitarians must be able to do their vital work,” Fletcher said.
He said that he also met with his colleagues in Kabul “who continue their work to save lives under immense pressure.”
“Our movement needs their expertise and knowledge. Most importantly, the people of Afghanistan need them,” he said.
The United Nations has repeatedly stressed that restrictions on women aid workers seriously undermine humanitarian efforts at a time when more than 23 million people in Afghanistan need life-saving assistance.
