Joint Statement: Urgent Policy Action Needed by White House to Support Afghan People

January 11th, 2022

CONTACT

Nick Zuroski | (202) 822-2047 | nick@allianceforpeacebuilding.org

Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

This winter, 23 million people—more than half the country—are facing acute food insecurity, including nearly 9 million who are one step away from famine conditions.

According to the United Nations, if no action is taken, up to 131,000 children could die of starvation.

Local and international organizations remain on the ground, committed to delivering lifesaving aid. However, humanitarian assistance is not enough; the U.S. government must take urgent action to address the economic drivers of this crisis. While prices skyrocket, Afghan families cannot access cash to pay for food, medicine, or other basic items. The U.S. and global leaders must facilitate banking access for Afghans and find new ways to support the country’s critical services like hospitals, schools, and utilities.

We cannot let the Afghan people become casualties of the world’s inaction. As winter sets in, tens of millions of lives hang in the balance. Global leaders must do the right thing—before it’s too late.

Signed,

Alliance for Peacebuilding
CARE USA
Catholic Relief Services
InterAction
International Rescue Committee
Norwegian Refugee Council USA
Save the Children US
War Child USA
World Vision US

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The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP)—named the “number one influencer and change agent” among peacebuilding institutions worldwide—is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit, nonpartisan network of 150+ organizations working in 181 countries to prevent conflict, reduce violence, improve lives, and build sustainable peace. At our core, AfP cultivates a network to strengthen and advance the peacebuilding field, enabling peacebuilding organizations to achieve greater impact—tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.