Prince Rahim Aga Khan on March 31 affirmed the “unfailing commitment of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to the people of Afghanistan,” at a virtual conference convened by UN Secretary General António Guterres to address the country’s humanitarian crisis, according to AKDN.
Speaking on behalf of His Highness the Aga Khan, Prince Rahim reportedly urged the international community to act swiftly to support the UN’s humanitarian appeal.
“Since August, despite huge challenges, in cooperation with UN agencies, the Aga Khan Development Network has maintained its life-saving work across Afghanistan: keeping its hospitals and clinics open; assisting communities with food, shelter and livelihoods; and continuing to help thousands of children of both genders to access learning,” he said.
“Our experience over the past three decades, along with generous support from many international partners, has taught us to believe deeply in the capacity of Afghans, in their pluralism, and in the strength of their vibrant, diverse communities. They have shown time and again that they are resilient and resourceful, but today, they need help.”
He urged the international community to also address urgently the causes of the current crisis – economic collapse, banking and monetary paralysis, and the strangulation of legitimate Afghan businesses and jobs. Afghanistan’s future will be determined at the community level, Prince Rahim observed: “It is there that Afghans of all backgrounds will come together to address their most urgent needs. ”
The High-level Pledging Event on Supporting the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan 2022 took place on March 31 at ministerial level online through a virtual platform. The meeting was convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, joined by Member State co-hosts including the Governments of Qatar, the United Kingdom and Germany. It focused on securing scaled-up resources to address the unprecedented level of humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, where more than 24.4 million people require assistance, and raising awareness of other challenges critical to the survival of Afghanistan’s people.
