Some Afghans are selling their most valuable items to fund their escape from Taliban rule, or simply to pay for food. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the country is facing a humanitarian crisis.
“Humanitarian aid will not solve the problem if Afghanistan’s economy collapses, and we know the risk is great and there is a dramatic shortage of cash,” he said.
On Monday, the international community pledged more than $ 1.2 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The Taliban’s acting foreign minister also called for access to the country’s $ 10 billion in foreign assets, most of which are frozen in the United States.
“We believe that the United States, as a great country, must have a big heart. Afghanistan is a poor country and should not be treated cruelly. “We want positive and inclusive relations with the international community, and we also urge them not to increase pressure on the Afghan people,” said incumbent Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The United States and other Western countries are urging the Taliban to respect human rights, and in particular the rights of women and girls, before they unlock the country’s wealth. But China and Pakistan have sent food and health supplies to the Taliban-held government and held meetings with Taliban representatives. Experts say Pakistan’s support for the Taliban is not new.
“Pakistan has certainly had relations with the Taliban or individuals who have been part of the Taliban leadership for over 30 years,” said Maximilian Hess of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
The US State Department is urging Pakistan to hold the Taliban accountable, as it had previously promised to do.
“We will continue to urge Pakistan and other countries in the region to adhere to their public statements in which they are committed to increasing support for the people of Afghanistan,” said State Department spokeswoman Ned Price.
One analyst stressed that for Pakistan, India is always a factor in its attitudes.
“Pakistan is concerned about India. “India is its number one enemy, and that is why Islamabad definitely wants a government in Afghanistan that is friendly to Pakistan, not India,” said Manjari Chatterjee Miller of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Regarding China, one expert says the important thing to keep in mind is long-term investment in Afghanistan.
China is exploring the potential for long-term investment, based on the model it uses in its One Belt One Road initiative in Central Asia. This effort would usually begin with the award of grants for large-scale road and infrastructure construction. “Plans for such initiatives have not yet been announced,” said expert Maximilian Hess.
Another expert points out that investing in Afghanistan is a risky initiative.
“China has been very careful about how it supports Afghanistan, and basically Beijing does not want to throw money into a black hole without guaranteeing the survival of the government or without guaranteeing that the Taliban will not support jihadist groups for it. which China is concerned about “, says expert Manjari Chattarjee Miller.
Qatar is also providing significant medical and food aid to Afghanistan, and is working to bring Kabul Airport back to normal operation./VOA
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