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January 14, 2022

U.N. Calls for Urgent Funding to Avert Millions of Deaths in Afghanistan
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U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has made an impassioned plea for
the U.S. and the World Bank to release billions of dollars of Afghan
assets that were frozen after the Taliban takeover in August. Guterres
warned Thursday that Afghanistan faces economic and social collapse,
with some 8.7 million Afghans now teetering on the brink of starvation.
He also called on the international community to step up and fund the
U.N.'s $5 billion humanitarian appeal.

Secretary-General António Guterres: "Freezing temperatures and frozen
assets are a lethal combination for the people of Afghanistan. Rules and
conditions that prevent money from being used to save lives and the
economy must be suspended in this emergency situation. International
funding should be allowed to pay the salaries of public sector workers
and to help Afghan institutions deliver healthcare, education and other
vital services."



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