U.N. refugee agency calls on Afghan’s neighboring countries to open their borders, remain steadfast support in Afghanistan

The vast majority of Afghans are unable to leave their country after the Taliban takeover and those who may be in danger “have no clear way out”, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday.

Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said UNHCR is calling on countries neighboring Afghanistan to keep their borders open in light of the evolving crisis in Afghanistan.

Mantoo said that the situation on the ground across the country remains extremely fluid. While widespread fighting has decreased since the takeover of the country by the Taliban on Sunday, the full impact of the evolving situation is not yet clear. Many Afghans are extremely anxious about what the future holds.

The vast majority of Afghans are not able to leave the country through regular channels, she said.

The footage taken a few days ago of crowds at the airport has shocked the world, speaking powerfully to the sense of fear and uncertainty among many Afghans.

Mantoo said some 200 UNHCR colleagues, both national and international, remain on the ground in Afghanistan as of today. UNHCR is continuing to work with 18 local non-government partners with some 900 staff throughout the country.

At present, UNHCR’s team is able to access all provinces, and is working in some two-thirds of all districts, she continued. Together with the wider UN country team, UNHCR is committed to staying and delivering aid to the Afghan people for as long as we have access to populations in need and can ensure safety for our staff.

“We call on donors to remain steadfast in their support for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and are also appealing for support. UNHCR’s Supplementary Appeal for the Afghanistan Situation highlights US$62.8 million as urgent needs to support the response for internally displaced people in Afghanistan as well as preparedness in Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, “ Mantoo added. “These requirements are part of the US$351 million requirements for the Afghanistan situation, which remains drastically underfunded at 43 per cent

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