Afghanistan: Civilians In Peril As Conflict Continues

Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – The protracted armed conflict in Afghanistan is causing great suffering for ordinary people across the country, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, meeting today in Paris.

Afghan child waiting to see doctor: DOD photo.

''Afghanistan is still at war," ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger reminded the conference. "Every day, men, women and children get killed, maimed or displaced. Millions live in fear for their lives and for the future of their children. It is imperative for the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and spare civilians both the direct and indirect effects of hostilities."

As a result of fighting between Afghan and international forces on one side and the armed opposition on the other, many communities in rural areas remain isolated. They have to cope with the harsh reality of difficult access to basic health care, food, clean water and sanitation. Afghans taking their wounded and sick from remote areas for treatment in the cities do so at the risk of their lives because of the absence of security. In many areas the plight of the people is exacerbated by a looming drought and by the global food crisis resulting in sharply rising prices. Many Afghans are also put in danger by explosive remnants of war and landmines.

Thousands of Afghans in remote areas have fled their homes to move to safer areas, where they depend on aid from their relatives to survive. Their presence then puts an additional strain on already overburdened health and sanitation services in areas like Kandahar, Helmand and even Kabul.

''Our priority is to step up our response to urgent large-scale needs that remain unmet because the lack of security prevents aid from reaching the most vulnerable communities,'' Mr Kellenberger said. ''The ICRC calls for a substantive effort by all parties to the conflict in order to ensure, as a matter of priority, respect for international humanitarian law, especially with regard to protecting and assisting the civilian population."

The ICRC has been working in Afghanistan without interruption for more than 20 years. The country constitutes the organization's fourth largest operation. With over 1,200 staff working in Afghanistan, the ICRC has a budget for 2008 of some 60 million Swiss francs (60 million US dollars), a 25% increase over last year.

Source: ICRC

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