Afghanistan, UN Call for More Humanitarian Aid for Returning Migrants

DID Press: Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed foreign minister and the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) have discussed expanding humanitarian assistance for returning Afghan migrants and strengthening cooperation between the country and the United Nations.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban-appointed foreign minister, met with Roza Otunbayeva’s successor, Fatima, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, to discuss cooperation, the coordination of humanitarian assistance and support for returning Afghans.

At the beginning of the meeting, Muttaqi welcomed Fatima and wished her success in her new assignment.

The two sides also discussed United Nations reports and assessments on Afghanistan. During the talks, the Taliban foreign minister stressed the importance of using accurate and reliable information, presenting a balanced picture of conditions in the country and ensuring appropriate coordination with relevant Afghan institutions.

Expanding cooperation between Afghanistan and the United Nations, addressing the humanitarian needs of returning Afghan migrants and improving the coordination of aid were also among the topics discussed.

The meeting further highlighted the need to keep humanitarian assistance and economic activities separate from political issues, while increasing support for development and infrastructure projects.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on climate change and water management to help address Afghanistan’s needs and challenges.