WELLINGTON, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand is providing a further three million NZ dollars (2.13 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, said today.
“There is significant humanitarian need in Afghanistan, with the crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” Mahuta said in a statement.
The United Nations estimated that 80 percent of the quarter of a million people displaced in Afghanistan since May are women and children.
“With the dangers that women and girls are facing in Afghanistan today, it is more important than ever, to support organisations that are delivering much needed humanitarian assistance and protection,” said Mahuta.
New Zealand is providing funding to UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund. Both these organisations are addressing urgent needs on the ground, with a particular focus on supporting women and children, the minister said.
New Zealand has joined two statements supporting the call to ensure the safety and human rights of women and girls, one at the Human Rights Council and the other a joint call by women political leaders, to uphold and continue to advance equal rights and opportunities, she said.
New Zealand’s latest support comes, after providing three million NZ dollars (2.13 million U.S. dollars) to the Red Cross and the UN Refugee Agency on Aug 20.– NNN-AGENCIES
